black ships before troy summary（Black Ships Before Troy Summary）

List of contents of this article

• black ships before troy summary
• black ships before troy summary chapter 1
• black ships before troy summary chapter 9
• black ships before troy summary chapter 2
• black ships before troy summary chapter 3

black ships before troy summary

“Black Ships Before Troy” is a retelling of the ancient Greek epic, “The Iliad,” written by Rosemary Sutcliff. The story follows the events of the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans.

The book begins with the wedding of King Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis. However, Eris, the goddess of discord, is not invited and seeks revenge by throwing a golden apple into the wedding feast. The apple is inscribed with the words “To the Fairest,” causing a dispute among the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.

Paris, a Trojan prince, is chosen to decide who deserves the apple. Each goddess tries to bribe him, but Paris ultimately chooses Aphrodite, who promises him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. This leads to the abduction of Helen from her husband, Menelaus, the king of Sparta, by Paris.

Menelaus seeks revenge and convinces his brother, Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, to gather a vast army of Greek warriors to sail to Troy and retrieve Helen. The Greeks assemble a fleet of black ships, hence the title, and set sail for Troy.

The Trojans, led by King Priam and his sons Hector and Paris, prepare for the Greek invasion. The Trojan War begins with a series of battles, where both sides display their bravery and military prowess. The Greek hero Achilles, known for his invulnerability, becomes a central figure in the conflict.

The war continues for ten long years, with many battles and casualties on both sides. The gods and goddesses frequently intervene, favoring different warriors and manipulating events to their advantage.

The story reaches its climax when Achilles kills Hector, the greatest Trojan warrior, in a duel. This leads to a tremendous outpouring of grief from the Trojans, especially Priam and his wife, Hecuba.

Finally, the Greeks devise a plan to infiltrate Troy by building a giant wooden horse as a gift. They hide soldiers inside the horse and leave it at the gates of Troy, pretending to retreat. The Trojans, unaware of the deception, bring the horse inside the city walls.

That night, the Greek soldiers emerge from the horse and open the gates of Troy, allowing the Greek army to enter and conquer the city. The Trojans suffer a devastating defeat, and the surviving Trojans face various fates, with some killed and others enslaved.

“Black Ships Before Troy” concludes with the funeral of Hector and the Greeks sailing back to their homeland, victorious but scarred by the horrors of war.

In this retelling of “The Iliad,” Rosemary Sutcliff captures the essence of the Trojan War, highlighting the bravery, tragedy, and complexities of the characters involved. The book serves as an engaging introduction to the epic for readers of all ages.

black ships before troy summary chapter 1

Chapter 1 of “Black Ships Before Troy” sets the stage for the epic tale of the Trojan War. The chapter begins with a description of the city of Troy, a magnificent and prosperous city ruled by King Priam. The author, Rosemary Sutcliff, introduces the main characters and provides a glimpse into their lives.

The first character we meet is Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, who is married to King Menelaus of Sparta. Helen’s beauty becomes a central conflict in the story, as it leads to her abduction by Paris, a prince of Troy. This act of betrayal sparks the beginning of the Trojan War.

We are also introduced to Odysseus, a wise and cunning Greek warrior, and Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks. Odysseus is described as a strategic thinker, while Achilles is known for his strength and bravery. These two characters will play significant roles in the events that unfold.

The chapter further explores the relationships between the gods and mortals. The gods are shown to have a vested interest in the outcome of the war, as they take sides and interfere in mortal affairs. The goddesses Athena and Aphrodite, in particular, become central figures in the conflict due to their involvement in the judgment of Paris, where they offer him wisdom and love.

As the chapter progresses, the author introduces the concept of fate and the inevitability of the war. The prophecy of the Trojan War is revealed, stating that it is destined to happen and that no mortal can escape it. This foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold throughout the story.

Overall, Chapter 1 of “Black Ships Before Troy” provides an engaging introduction to the key characters, the city of Troy, and the underlying conflicts that will drive the narrative. It sets the stage for the epic battle that will follow, exploring themes of beauty, betrayal, and the influence of gods on mortal affairs.

black ships before troy summary chapter 9

Chapter 9 of “Black Ships Before Troy” is titled “The War at Last.” In this chapter, the Trojan War finally begins after years of tension between the Greeks and the Trojans. The chapter starts with the Greeks preparing for battle, led by their mighty warrior Achilles. The Trojans, on the other hand, are led by their courageous prince, Hector.

The Greeks set sail in their black ships towards Troy, ready to avenge the abduction of Helen, the wife of Menelaus, by the Trojan prince Paris. The Trojans, aware of the approaching Greeks, gather their forces to defend their city. Both sides are filled with anticipation and determination to emerge victorious.

As the Greeks arrive at the shores of Troy, they encounter the Trojans, who are equally eager to defend their homeland. The battle begins, and fierce fighting ensues. The Greeks, with their superior numbers and skilled warriors, manage to gain an advantage over the Trojans. Achilles, with his unmatched strength and bravery, proves to be a formidable force on the battlefield.

Hector, however, refuses to back down and fights valiantly to protect his city. He rallies his troops, inspiring them to continue the fight against the Greeks. The Trojans, though outnumbered, display great resilience and determination, refusing to surrender.

The chapter concludes with both sides realizing that the war will be long and arduous. The Greeks are determined to bring Helen back to Menelaus, while the Trojans are resolved to defend their city until the end. The stage is set for a prolonged and brutal conflict between the two sides.

In Chapter 9 of “Black Ships Before Troy,” the long-awaited Trojan War finally begins. The Greeks, led by Achilles, sail towards Troy, while the Trojans, led by Hector, prepare to defend their city. The battle commences, and both sides fight fiercely, with the Greeks gaining an initial advantage. However, Hector’s leadership and the Trojans’ determination prevent them from succumbing easily. As the chapter ends, both sides acknowledge that the war will be a protracted struggle.

black ships before troy summary chapter 2

Chapter 2 of “Black Ships Before Troy” continues the retelling of the story of the Trojan War. The chapter is titled “The Gathering of the Warriors” and focuses on the efforts made by the Greek kings to gather their armies and sail to Troy.

The chapter begins with Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae and the leader of the Greek forces, summoning his brother Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Agamemnon seeks Menelaus’ help in assembling a powerful army to avenge the abduction of his brother’s wife, Helen, by Paris, the prince of Troy. Menelaus agrees to assist Agamemnon and together they plan to gather warriors from all over Greece.

Agamemnon sends messengers to various Greek kingdoms, calling upon their kings to send their best warriors to join the expedition. The messengers travel far and wide, visiting kingdoms such as Pylos, Ithaca, and Thessaly. They encounter different responses from the kings they approach. Some eagerly agree to join the cause, while others refuse, citing various reasons such as old age or prior engagements.

One of the messengers, Odysseus, is sent to the island of Ithaca to convince the reluctant king, Odysseus himself, to join the war. Odysseus initially refuses, as he is content with his peaceful life on the island. However, the goddess Athena intervenes and convinces him to join the expedition, promising him glory and fame.

Meanwhile, other Greek heroes are also preparing for the war. Achilles, the greatest warrior of his time, is trained by the centaur Chiron in the art of warfare. Achilles is portrayed as a fearless and skilled fighter, destined to play a crucial role in the Trojan War.

As the chapter progresses, more Greek kings and their warriors are introduced, each with their own unique skills and characteristics. The chapter ends with the gathering of the Greek forces at the port of Aulis, ready to set sail for Troy.

In summary, Chapter 2 of “Black Ships Before Troy” focuses on the efforts made by the Greek kings to gather their armies and sail to Troy. It highlights the challenges faced by the messengers in convincing the kings to join the war, as well as the introduction of key characters such as Odysseus and Achilles. The chapter sets the stage for the impending conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans.

black ships before troy summary chapter 3

Chapter 3 of “Black Ships Before Troy” is titled “The Golden Apple.” In this chapter, the story introduces the character of Eris, the goddess of discord, and her role in sparking the Trojan War.

The chapter begins with a description of a grand wedding feast taking place on Mount Olympus. All the gods and goddesses are in attendance, except for Eris, who is not invited due to her reputation for causing trouble. Eris is filled with anger and decides to take revenge on the gods by causing chaos at the feast.

Eris crafts a golden apple with the inscription “For the Fairest” and throws it into the middle of the feast. Immediately, a heated argument breaks out among the goddesses as each one claims the apple for herself. The three main contenders are Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, each believing they are the fairest.

Zeus, the king of the gods, tries to resolve the dispute by appointing Paris, a young prince of Troy, as the judge. He instructs Paris to choose the fairest goddess and offers him rewards for his decision. Paris, eager to please the gods, agrees to the task.

The three goddesses make their cases to Paris. Hera promises him power and wealth, Athena offers him wisdom and skill in battle, and Aphrodite tempts him with the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta. Paris, swayed by Aphrodite’s promise, awards her the golden apple, declaring her the fairest goddess.

This decision sets the stage for the events that will lead to the Trojan War. Helen, already married to King Menelaus of Sparta, is taken by Paris to Troy, causing a great offense to the Greeks. Menelaus seeks revenge, and the Greek armies gather to sail to Troy and retrieve Helen.

In this chapter, the author highlights the power of Eris and her ability to sow discord among the gods. It also introduces the pivotal moment of Paris choosing Aphrodite as the fairest goddess, which will ultimately lead to the Trojan War. The stage is now set for the conflict and the epic battles that will unfold in the subsequent chapters.