What is the Trojan Horse and why do we say 'Beware the Greeks bearing gifts'?
The phrase is used to warn against possible deception by an adversary, but where does it originate? And what does it have to do with a horse?
For ten years, the city of Troy had been under siege from the armies of ancient Greece, after the Trojan prince Paris eloped with - the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. Or at least, that’s the myth.
Thousands had died in the decade-long war but the stone walls of Troy remained impenetrable. With the two sides at stalemate, the Greek warrior king Odysseus hatched a cunning plan.
- Read more | Who’s who in ancient Greece? Meet 14 famous Greeks
What was the Trojan Horse?
A giant wooden horse was built and left at the gates of Troy and the Greek ships sailed out of sight.
The Trojans, believing the war was over, saw the horse as an offering to the gods and as a gift of peace so wheeled it into the city and celebrated their victory.
This is exactly what Odysseus wanted – once the Trojans had all gone to sleep – many of them blind drunk – a host of armed soldiers crept out from the belly of the horse and opened the city gates. Troy was overrun and destroyed and the ‘Trojan Horse’ became revered as one of the most successful military tactics ever.
Why do we say 'Beware the Greeks bearing gifts?
In Virgil’s epochal version of events, the Aeneid, there was one voice of reason among the Trojans who distrusted the Greeks.
- Read more | Your guide to ancient Greek religion
A priest named Laocoon pleaded against accepting the gift and bringing the horse into the city, declaring, Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes – roughly translated, as “I fear the Greeks, even those bearing gifts.” It was adapted over the years to the expression we have today.
But, as the story goes, Laocoon and his sons were strangled by two large serpents, sent by the gods. The Trojans saw this as a sign that the priest was wrong, and the horse was a sincere gesture of peace.
Tick a loved one of your festive gift list - Save 56% when you gift a print subscription, include HistoryExtra Membership
