Black Ships Before Troy

Use these links to supplement and complement students’ reading of the work and to increase their overall enjoyment of literature. Challenge them to discern parallel themes, engage through visual and aural stimuli, and delve deeper into the thematic possibilities presented by the title.

Recommended Texts for Pairing

The Iliad by Gareth Hinds

• graphic novel version of the story
• compare and contrast with Sutcliff’s rendering of the story

“Helen’s Lament” by Tracy Marks

• an accessible contemporary poem
• offers Helen’s perspective on the events of the story
• connects to the theme of The Roles of Mortal Women

“The Shot” by Alexander Pushkin

• a classic short story about a proposed duel between soldiers
• connects to the theme of The Importance of Honor

The Hare & The Tortoise

• Aesop’s fable about a race between a tortoise and a hare
• connects to the theme of Hubris: The Fatal Flaw

Other Student Resources

Did ancient Troy really exist?

• 5-minute YouTube explanation from Ted-Ed
• explains the search for the historical city of Troy

What Makes a Homeric Hero? Greek Myth Comix explaining the Greek Myths

• animated comic
• shows the qualities of Homeric heroes in a visual format

The Judgement of Paris - The Apple of Discord

• 4-minute YouTube video by See U in History
• tells the story of Eris and the Apple of Discord

Biography of Helen of Troy, Cause of the Trojan War

• brief article by historian N. S. Gill
• overview of the life of Helen of Troy

King Priam in Greek Mythology

• article from Greek Legends and Myths site
• overview of who Priam was, what he accomplished, and how he died

The Trojan War : Part 5 : Achilles

• 3-minute YouTube video by Ancient History Guy
• tells the story of Achilles’ special power and his role in the Trojan War

Teacher Resources

The Lives and Social Culture of Ancient Greece

• Maryville University article
• discusses social hierarchy, society, education, art, and religion

Troy: Fall of a City

• BBC historical miniseries with 8 episodes
• dramatizes the story of the Trojan War

“Who Was Helen of Troy?” by Bettany Hughes

• BBC article
• discusses Helen’s background and enduring power as a symbol

The Real Trojan Horse

• PBS documentary
• discusses the historical basis for events surrounding the Trojan Horse

“‘Trojan Horse’: A Strategy That Keeps Hiding in Plain Sight,” by Ben Zimmer

• Wall Street Journal article discusses the longevity of the Trojan Horse metaphor to describe the strategy of a hidden attack