A long Look Back at My Time in Troy

                As far as I am concerned, this will end my time in Troy. The war is close to over and the fall of the city is inevitable. I fought alongside the Trojans from the beginning of this long war and now with the death of my precious Hektor, there isn’t much use. My time in Troy has been interesting. I watched man struggle with fighting in a war started by a marital dispute. I watched heroes and champions fight to the death. I watched my fellow Gods and Goddesses get so entangled in this mortal war that they turned against each other. This war tore apart the fabrics of a world that we once knew and paved a way for a different one. Now we enter a time where heroes are fading and the will of the Gods are more predominant than ever, not that there’s anything wrong with that. If this war between meager mortals stands to show anything it is that their actions are insignificant. Everything is left up to the Gods and fate. We were all so instrumental in this war and helping out whichever side we desired. We all have our reasons. Looking back this whole war started before most of these warriors and great heroes were even born and it seems like Zeus started it all.

                Zeus held that banquet for Peleus and Thetis, as he was instrumental in their engagement in fear of Thetis’ son being more powerful than the father and thus had potential to overtake Zeus himself. And then Zeus didn’t invite everyone so Eris was upset and threw the golden apple into the party. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite fought over it. Zeus took the apple to Paris for him to judge who was fairest. Paris picked Aphrodite, who promised him the most beautiful woman, Helen. Paris kidnaps Helen, and BAM 10 year Trojan War.

                Saying that the will of Zeus was going to be accomplished was an understatement. It seems to me, Apollo God of truth and prophecy, that Zeus planned this back before introducing Peleus to Thetis. He knew that they would have a son that would be greater than Peleus, and Achilles was even more than that. Zeus, always afraid of people challenging his power and threatening his throne, needed a way to get rid of Achilles and basically rid the world of any hero like Achilles. That time needed to be over. So, this war was orchestrated. And on such a large scale that it would ensure that heroes from all over would be there, fighting, and fighting to the death. Yes, some survived, but I truly believe Zeus has something in store for them. Perhaps, after all the fighting in Troy they will have had their fill. The heroes will retire and die out. I do know that Zeus was behind all of this. And even the Gods are subject to the will of Zeus, it’s not just mortals. This world is full of hierarchies – even on Mt. Olympus.

                As I said my time in Troy is coming to an end. I will let the rest of Zeus’ plan play out. I foresee a new age coming. I think it is time to follow Aineias and watch how his destiny plays out. I do think I will stick around Troy just a little bit longer. Achilles time is coming and I am going to be there to avenge Hektor and all the Trojans who died at the hands of Achilles. 





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And so ends the Tragedy of Hektor

                Achilles takes the body of Hektor back to the Greek camp. Now proper funeral ceremonies are held for Patroklos. If only Achilles would let the Trojans do the same for Hektor. Fantastic games are held for the ceremony. Achilles gives out fabulous prizes to the winner. The Great Greek Heroes all participate. I am furious watching this games take place at the Greek camp. The same should be happening for the Trojans so they can properly mourn the loss of Hektor. I hated the Greeks before, but now this is on a whole new level. Achilles keeps trying to destroy the body of Hektor. But I am not letting a single thing happen to his body. I protect Hektor, still in death. Thankfully Zeus is starting to see the light and determines that Achilles needs to be convinced to hand over the body. Zeus sends Thetis to talk to Achilles and Achilles agrees to ransom the body. Zeus orders Priam, king of Troy to go himself for his son’s body. He is protected on his journey by Hermes. Priam goes to Achilles and makes his case to Achilles. Achilles hears Priam and orders the body of Hektor to be cleaned and prepared to be moved. Achilles offers food to Priam and assures Priam that the Greeks will not attack for the amount of time needed for a proper funeral. Hektor is brought back to Troy and his funeral begins. He is buried on the 11^th day of the funeral. And thus, is the end of Hektor, the great defender of Troy.

Priam asking Achilles for the body of Hektor

                The funerals of Patroklos and Hektor represent the end of hero’s journey and the time they have obtained while on earth. The extensive funerals and games and prizes provide the Greeks or Trojans time to grieve. Achilles still can’t come to term with Patroklos’ death. Perhaps the death was too much of a blow to him. Or maybe he is terrified of his upcoming death. All the events that have transpired have made it so Achilles would live a short life and die here at Troy. Maybe he is wishing that he would have gone home in the beginning of this war. Regret is an unwelcome visitor. Although Achilles is still filled with anger he does turn over the body of Hektor. I think this is only because Priam came himself. Priam mentions Achilles father and what a great man he was. Achilles should act like a great man as well. He then tries to help Priam deal with his grief by giving him a feast. Grief loves company, and we see this in the tent of Achilles. Hektor is returned to Troy and receives the burial he deserves. This concludes the poem. It is only fitting as the Iliad is referred to as the Tragedy of Hektor. The poem ends with his burial. Hektor is now at peace and so is the poem. 

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Rise of Achilles and the Fall and Hektor

Achilles anger and blood lust continues to advance the Greeks. Achilles is basically all they need. He is killing everyone in his path. Achilles does manage to anger a river god, only because he is dumping so many dead Trojans into the river! The River God, Skamandros, starts attacking Achilles. Achilles thinks he is so powerful, but the power of the Gods is greater. It actually looks like Achilles will lose. But then Poseidon, Hera, and Hephaistos team up to help him. The battle with the River God is over. Now something interesting happens on Mt. Olympus. The Gods start fighting. Poseidon challenges me. He thinks I should be mad at the Trojans for enslaving Poseidon and myself ages ago. I disregard Poseidon. He isn’t even worth my time. Bringing up issues from so long ago. I just walk away. Artemis curses at me for this. But why are we even fighting! This isn’t our war. It is a war for mortals! Back on the battlefield the Trojans are losing. They call for a retreat and I distracted Achilles so they can take cover behind the great walls. Everyone takes refuge, except for Hektor. Hektor’s mind cannot be shaken now. He has decided to end this battle with Achilles now. No one can convince him otherwise to come back into the walls. Achilles strikes fear in Hektor and he runs around the walls, avoiding the fight. Athena goes down to trick Hektor into fighting. There’s nothing any of us can do now. Hektor’s fate has been weighed by Zeus, and it doesn’t look good. My poor Hektor. He faces his attacker and they prepare for battle. Hektor asks that the loser will receive proper funeral rights. Achilles refuses. His anger is too much for any proper battle etiquette. Soon our worst fear is realized. Hektor, the defender of Troy has been killed at the hands of Achilles. The city will fall.

            We have reached the climax of this tale. Achilles is on his vendetta and killing all in his path. Achilles even turns up the fighting on Mt Olympus. This entire time it has been clear that the Gods care about this war but it is just a game to them. They are immortal they will not die. Yet, as Achilles fights for the Greeks on land, the Gods start to mimic the fighting amongst themselves. Chaos is everywhere. River Gods are fighting Achilles, Water and Fire collide, Gods and Goddesses are fighting. The end has to be near. And all of this fighting, all of this disaster is caused by Achilles. He is being portrayed as more than a man. He can through the cosmos out of order. But he is just a man. And soon his time will come. He did kill Hektor. But if we look at that fight it will predict the death of Achilles. Hektor faced Patroklos, a man in Achilles armor and killed him. Hektor was then the next to die. Now we have Achilles and Hektor facing off. Both are just men wearing the armor of Achilles. Hektor perishes. Now Achilles will die next. By killing Hektor, Achilles has set his faith in stone. He will die. But the damage he has caused is damning to the Trojans. 

picture: https://www.google.com/search?q=achilles+vs+hector&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=638&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiQ96-n_YfQAhWF2YMKHeeoDHQQ_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=achilles+vs+hector+painting&imgrc=Kgah8m7YLZ_JsM%3A