Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils develop their understanding of historical significance whilst examining the legacy of ancient Greek civilisation. They build knowledge of various facets of ancient Greek civilisation: its philosophers, the Olympics, Athenian democracy, its language and architecture.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the key events of The Trojan War myth and describe *The Iliad's* influence.

Key Notes

• The Trojan War was a mythical conflict between the Ancient Greeks and Troy, a city most likely in modern day Turkey.
• The war began when a Trojan, Paris, kidnapped Helen from the Greek King Menelaus.
• The Greeks defeated the Trojans but their greatest warrior, Achilles, was killed.
• This myth was first written down as an epic poem called *The Iliad* by the Greek poet, Homer.
• *The Iliad* not only became a major part of Ancient Greek identity, but influenced literature and art through the ages.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Troy: Troy is a mythical city, believed to have been located in modern-day Turkey
• Trojans: people from Troy were called Trojans
• Achilles: Achilles is a mythical hero who fought in the Trojan War, he was celebrated as a great warrior that no one could defeat
• Homer: Homer was a Greek poet, who is thought to have lived around the 700s BCE
• *The Iliad*: The Iliad is an ancient Greek poem, telling the story of the Trojan War, believed to be written by Homer

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Pupils may think that Troy was a real place and that the Trojan War was a real conflict.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Athenian democracy and modern Britain Study Guide
• Famous Ancient Greek philosophers Study Guide
• The Ancient Greek Olympic Games Study Guide
• The legacy of Ancient Greek language and architecture Study Guide
• The most significant legacy of Ancient Greece Study Guide