Troy by Stephen Fry: Book 3 In The Captivating Greek Myths Retold Trilogy

Whether you’re familiar with the story of Troy from the 2004 movie titled Troy or from the epic poem written by Homer, the Illiad, Stephen Fry’s Troy will give you a detailed account of events that led to the Trojan war as well as what takes place during the war right through to its conclusion. The Iliad, in comparison, only covers the tenth year of the Trojan war according to an article in The Conversation.

What is Troy by Stephen Fry about?

Stephen Fry’s Troy isn’t simply an outline of the Trojan war. It gives us a bit of background into how things unfolded. We learn of the prophesy that a child of Tethis (a sea goddess), would be greater than its father. Olympians feared a child being greater than themselves, so they steered clear of Tethis. A mortal had no such qualms and in fact welcomed the idea. Peleus, a mortal aristocrat, married and had a child with Tethis. Tethis took the child by his heal and dipped him in the river Styx for protection. This child, Achilles, would be destined for greatness.

An event that led to King Priam falling for Helen of Troy in the first place occurred at the wedding of Tethis and Peleus. There happened to be a golden apple with the inscription “to the fairest”. Hera, Athena and Aphrodite each wanted Zeus to give them the apple as they each felt they deserved it more. Zeus didn’t want to upset any of the ladies and had an idea that an impartial human should make the decision. This human happened to be Priam. Hera tempted him with power and riches, Athena tempted him with wit and intelligence, and Aphrodite tempted him with an image of a beautiful woman, Helen. When Priam saw Helen’s face, he was instantly in love and knew he wouldn’t rest until he found her. So, he gives Aphrodite the apple in exchange that she would help him get Helen.

It is Aphrodite who is blamed for enchanting Helen into eloping with King Priam to Troy. Helen was married to Menelaus (King of Sparta) at the time. Back when Menelaus won Helen’s hand in marriage, it was agreed by all her suitors that they would do everything in their power to protect Helen’s union with the victor. Menelaus also convinced his brother Agamemnon (King of Mycenae) to form an army to besiege Troy. This was how the trojan war was started.

A number of notable heroes were requested to go on this quest including Achilles. It was foretold that Achilles was the key to the victory of the Greeks. Achilles was also destined to die in this epic battle. You may be familiar with the phrase “Achilles heel”? Well, Achilles heel was the only vulnerable part of his body as Tethis hadn’t fully submerged Achilles in the river Styx when dipping him in.  

How long was the Trojan war?

The trojan war lasted for ten years with the earlier years not seeing much action. The majority of the action happened towards the end of the war with some interference from the Olympians (although Zeus had told them not to get involved).

Did the city of Troy exist?

Yes, Troy did exist. Archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann first excavated the site in 1870. What is Troy called today? Troy is believed to be in an area known as the ‘Troad’ located in north-western Turkey.

Was the Trojan horse real?

It is said that the Greeks crafted an enormous wooden horse that would later be known as the trojan horse. Some Greek soldiers hid inside the horse while the other ships sailed away. The trojans brought the horse inside their otherwise impregnable walls. The Greek soldiers were able to finally launch a brutal attack from the inside helping them win the war. The existence of the trojan horse cannot be confirmed or denied. The trojan horse is not mentioned in the Iliad by Homer but mentioned by other poets. There is however no evidence to suggest that it was real.

Is Helen of Troy a true story?

Historians cannot confirm of the existence of Helen of Troy. No records have been found that mention her. It is largely believed that Helen of Troy was a myth.

Is Stephen Fry writing a book about the Odyssey?

According to Goodreads a fourth book The Odyssey is expected to be published later this year upgrading this trilogy into a series. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for it. Homer’s Odyssey is an epic poem that is a sequel to the Iliad. It tells us of the return journey of Odysseus after the Trojan war to the island of Ithaca. The four books in order will be Mythos, Heroes, Troy, and Odyssey.