JCC Trojan War:
Trojans and allies
Introduction
The timeline of the JCC begins at the start of the Trojan war, when Paris takes Helen.
The conflict originates with a contest of who was the most beautiful goddess between
Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. The judge, a young and eager Paris, was offered many bribes
to choose a certain goddess. The goddess chosen receives the golden apple, which signifies
the supreme beauty. Hera offered him to be king of Europe and Asia, Athena offered him
wisdom and skill in battle, while Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful women in the
world as his wife, Helen of Sparta. Being a young male, Paris naturally chose to have an
attractive female as his wife. Helen had no knowledge of this at the time as she was currently
married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. However, as so on as
Paris saw Helen, he had fallen in love with her. Paris, son
of Priam and prince of Troy, abducted her and took her
back to his home city. Although his peers mocked him at
first, they applauded Paris when they saw the beauty of
Helen. Yet, the Greeks were furious with the actions that
had occurred, especially Menelaus. Menelaus felt as
though his family had been disgraced and a woman he loved dearly was taken from his
native country. He, along with Agamemnon and Odysseus, marched to Troy and demanded
the returning of Helen. Yet, Priam refused and even presented a similar situation in which
his sister Hesione was taken by Heracles and Telamon. The Greeks, enraged, returned to
home and started to prepare for war. They recruited previous suitors of Helen, built ships,
and recruited armies. They would not stop until they had retrieved their beloved Helen.
2
Topic 1: Military Concerns
Before Troy is located on the southern opening of the strait of Hellespont on the
Asia Minor. This location provides strategies for Troy to attack, but also leaves the country
susceptible to invasion. As the Greeks become enraged because of Paris’s actions, they
prepare their armies for battle and an immediate threat becomes present. Action needs to be
taken for the future of the Trojans is threatened.
Offensive Attack
An effective way to gain the upper hand against an enemy is to attack before one
becomes attacked. However, the Greeks are already building up an army in response to
Paris’s capture of Helen. Additionally, Greece is a loose alliance of city-states so many targets
are available, but attacking all of them at once will leave the Trojans army scattered and
weak. Troy’s location on the Mediterranean also allows it to use naval vessels on the sea
along with troops on the ground. Creating an offensive attack against the Greeks must
incorporate a specific city-state or coalition of city-states to attack, and Greece’s
mountainous terrain must also be considered.
Defensive strategies
Troy’s survival depends on defensive strategies for the city. Troy is surrounded by a 5
meter thick and 8 meter high wall on most of the south entrance with a couple of guard
towers scattered across the wall. The wall is slightly rounded providing no corners and
accompanied by a trench which is occupied by Trojan villages surrounding the whole city.
Inner walls also protect Troy if anything happens get across the first wall. In order to
3
succeed troops and resources must be allocated in a way where it effectively defends Troy
and the villages below.
Questions to Consider
1. Which Greek city-state should the Trojan forces focus on if Troy decides to attack?
2. Could Troy ask other kingdoms or nations to form an alliance against the Greeks,
and how will they be convinced?
3. What special strategies can be used to defend Troy effectively without straining it’s
resources?
4. How will Troy fight the coalition the Greek city-states have formed on its own?
4
Topic 2: The Use of Mythological Creatures and People
As the Trojans prepare to enter a long war against the Greeks to protect their
beloved Helen, they need to make sure they have an edge within the war. To make sure their
victory is ensured they must look towards the use of mythological creatures and people.
Communication with the Gods
The gods are an essential part to this war and a hopeful victory to the Trojan allies.
However appealing to the correct god is key. Aphrodite, Apollo, and Poseidon are gods who
naturally favor the Trojans. These are some of the most powerful gods and includes one of
the three dominant gods, Poseidon. It is also a good idea to gain the appeal of the
uncommitted gods such as Zeus, Hades, and Hermes and gain their trust. Troy should gain
appeal through prayers and rituals that are specific to certain gods. Choose the gods carefully
as many have pre-existing issues which are sure to conflict with Trojan plans.
Capturing of Creatures
There are many strong creatures living within the depths of Greece, Troy, and
Mycenae which would give an immense advantage to the Trojans. Creatures like the Cyclops,
the Centaurs, the Hydra, and many more are powerful beings within the region. However,
the capturing of these creatures is no easy task. Look into tales of previous heroes defeating
these monsters, such as Odysseus and his crew, to gain ideas of offense and susceptible areas
to manipulate.
Recruitment of Demigods
5
Demigods are not be underestimated as they could be the secret weapon to the army
of the Trojans. Demigods such as Perseus, Hercules, and Theseus will be able to provide
god-like powers, and they would not be as arrogant or difficult to work with. However, their
power is much weaker compared to the gods. Additionally, look to pair the demigods with
their parent who is a god to create an unstoppable team and less internal conflict. The
recruitment of these demigods could give the Trojans a major advantage in the war.
Questions to Consider
1. How will the Trojans gain the trust of the neutral Gods?
2. How will Trojans capture these mythological creatures. If captured, how will the
Trojans force the creatures to fight for them?
3. How will the Trojans convince the demigods to go against the Greeks?
6
Topic 3: The Gods
All throughout history, Greece has laid dependency on the blessing of the gods.
Each and every day, hundreds of thousands of Greeks take time out of their daily lives to
pray to gods and goddesses in their times of need. Millions of idols are found throughout the
empire embezzled in the finest jewels from around the world, all in hopes that they will use
their power for the people's benefit in the future. If there is any conflict we need the gods’
help in, it is this one. Fellow delegates, we need the gods’ support. Perhaps we could ask
Athena, goddess of wisdom and war strategy, or Poseidon, god of the sea. In this great war,
the help of any god will be of essence. It is up to you delegates, to forge proper alliances as
quickly as possible, or pay the price. Before doing
this, we must settle current conflicts with certain
gods. We need them back on our side. Artemis has
been angered due to the hubris of Agamemnon. He
killed a sacred deer, and claim hunting superiority
over Artemis. Because of this, Artemis demands the
sacrifice of Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon. If this is not done, it may cost the lives
of thousands of soldiers at sea. What may we do? In order to get the gods on our side, it may
be beneficial to befriend the enemies of the Trojans. Mutual hate spurs the best of alliances.
Delegates, the fate our world is in your hands. Going about this task in the wrong manner
may be the most costly mistake made in Greek history. However, if done correctly, this will
lead to the greatest victory in the history of warfare. Bring us glory!
Questions to Consider
7
1. Which gods would be most beneficial to create alliances with?
2. Time is of the essence, which gods would be more open, and easier to convince?
3. How may we go about settling our past conflicts with the gods?
4. Which gods already dislike the Trojans?
8