Book II of Virgil's Aeneid covers the siege of Troy, and includes these lines spoken by Laocoön:
- equo ne credite, Teucri.
- quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.
Meaning (depending on the translation) "Do not trust the horse, Trojans! Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even bringing gifts", the lines are the origin of the modern adage to "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts."
.........................................................................................................................................
All is fair in love and war
and no quarters are given
or asked for in the heat of battle
the sneaky attack deployed
when the enemy's defenses are down
can often make you prevail in combat
and give you the upper hand
the Greek siege of Troy lasted for ten years
when the beautiful Greek Queen Helen
the face that launched a thousand ships
was kidnapped by Paris of Troy
her Spartan husband King Meneleus
besieged Troy to rescue his beloved wife
he sent his greatest warriors
Odysseus, Achilles and Ajax
to mastermind his strategies and plans
for a decade they laboured hard
but to no avail
and when all else had failed to win the day
their Patron Greek Gods Poseidon and Athena
devised the blueprint of the Trojan Horse
to trick and beguile the inhabitants of Troy
by withdrawing their Greek Army out of view
while his trusted men lay hidden
within the constructed wooden horse
the perfect scheme and ruse
which hoodwinked the people of Troy
who received their Greek gift with open hands
pulling the benign horse within their city walls
and rejoiced greatly in celebrations and mirth
at the ending of the Great Siege
but in the still of the night
whilst the Trojans were deep in sleep
Odysseus, Achilles and Ajax
crept out of the Great Horse, and opened the gates of Troy
to the waiting Greek Army, who took the city by stealth
and liberated the fair Helen, for the Glory of Greece
and gave homage to their Greek Gods
mighty Poseidon and Athena
who inspired the Trojan Horse tactic
that changed the face of War forever
Copyright by Peter Paton 2006
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I wonder whether anyone else still remembers the movie, in which Rossana Podesta played Helena...again, you bring back treasured memories.
Thanks!
Gina
Birgit and Roger
Thanks for sharing!!
Love Tinka
((((Love And Peace, JoAnne ))))
Another great historical write from you Peter. Thanks a heap!
I wonder is this from the old cliche'"Beware of the Greeks baring gifts" or "Never look a gift horse in the face" It sure seems to apply to me.
Love and peace,
Susan
I know I've said this before, but history comes alive in a fresh, new way--you make it interesting and educational! Well done!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :D
Love,
Eileen