There have actually been several attempts to recreate this myth with a wooden horse large enough to hold several warriers in enough comfort that they would survive sitting in its belly for an entire day under a relatively hot sun while Trojans decided what to do with the thing. I saw one on the History Channel which actually worked quite well although it was very awkward to move and the men inside it had a definitely uncomfortable day of it. The people putting together this reenactment assumed that one of the Greek ships had been dismantled in order to provide the building materials and, with that thought in mind, built a horse from what could reasonably have been scavenged from a ship of the time. Interesting episode.

I wonder if the horse was built on a base? I mean, it isn't likely that a wooden horse without a base could hold together, as the legs would splay and break. So, there would need to be a base to hold the horse, and possibly wheels on the base, etc.

Anyway, this base could be made of sufficient dimensions to hold quite a few soldiers in reasonable comfort.

Although, I would agree that it would just serve to make a bigger bonfire, if it was presented to me.

going to a different part of the Iliad, Achilles was killed with a single arrow to his heel, I'm no expert on the human body, but this seems very far-fetched, if anyone has an existing explanation, then plz post it

That was where his mum held him by when she dunked him.


Some (re)tellings specify the arrow was poisoned.

But, even if not, infection could have set in. Many died from septic wounds that would be almost considered "superficial" nowadays.

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I wonder if the horse was built on a base? I mean, it isn't likely that a wooden horse without a base could hold together, as the legs would splay and break. So, there would need to be a base to hold the horse, and possibly wheels on the base, etc.

it's so nice when people actually read the text that they are talking about. you know, that talks about how they made the horse... not to mention how this post started: how many men it was intended to carry... and why they built a horse as opposed to, say an owl (thanks to whomever explained that one of the gods the Trojans favored was Poseidon).

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going to a different part of the Iliad, Achilles was killed with a single arrow to his heel, I'm no expert on the human body, but this seems very far-fetched, if anyone has an existing explanation, then plz post it

again with the not reading the text. first, Achilles was one of the many human/god hybrids, so he was pretty unstoppable to begin with. his mother, Thetis (a demi-god), dipped him in gold to protect him. she did this because a prophecy had said that Achilles would either live a long life as an unknown or a short life as a hero. how often do you think these stories end with a character choosing the quiet life? as roofingguy said, Thetis held her son by the Achilles' tendon when she dipped him and it was, therefore, the only part to not get covered and his only vulnerable spot.

it's also important to know how debilitating cutting someone's Achilles tendon can be. I'm sure that there are texts that you can find on this. as well as case studies of certain assaults carried out in this manner.

finally, you should know that Paris was a terrible archer... to the point that Aphrodite (who favored him... long story about a case of child abandonment, a wedding, a golden apple and angering Hera and Athene) had to grab the arrow out of the air and direct it to Achilles only weak spot.

sorry, techgeek. I meant to point out that this episode was on the far side of a 10 year war. I would think that there would be a base.

I was wondering how hard it would be to wear armor that belonged to someone else and pretending to be them fool the others into believing you are them. I seem to recall that being in there as well.

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I was wondering how hard it would be to wear armor that belonged to someone else and pretending to be them fool the others into believing you are them. I seem to recall that being in there as well.

now that, right there, that is a good question!

(given the fact that the html here won't allow me to make small types: given that no god intervened, which one this one can be safely said to be questionable)

Presumably in a Helemt that obscured the Face, with a suit of Armour with the correct "Heraldic" symbols to be that Hero, people assumed it was him.

At the battle of Hastings a rumor was going around that Duke William had been killed. The Norman army was in danger of 'melting' away. The Duke took off his helmet and rode down the ranks, proveing he was still alive.

Yes, that portion of the 'Illiad' was spot on.