“Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Iliad”
By Rosemary Sutcliff, illustrated by Alan Lee.
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, London, 1993, 128 pages, Grades 6-8.
Classic literature transcends centuries and cultures. Two of the greatest stories in classical literature are The Iliad and The Odyssey. They were written in ancient Greece by Homer. People continue to read these works because of their universal appeal.
The Iliad concerns the Trojan War. This war begins after Paris, a Trojan prince, either seduces or elopes with Helen, a Greek queen. Helen is so beautiful that she comes down in history as “the face that launched one thousand ships.” The Iliad details the 10-year war between Greece and Troy after Paris takes Helen to Troy. Rosemary Sutcliff, the esteemed English author, writes a simplified story for adolescents of Homer’s great work.
The story begins with Prince Paris visiting the palace of King Menelaus and Queen Helen of Sparta. Though the story is complicated, Paris is seized with a longing for Queen Helen and manages to convince her to return to Troy with him. Helen is both desirous to be with Paris and saddened to be leaving her child behind. But passion triumphs over reason and Helen flees to Troy with Paris. When Menelaus realizes his beautiful wife has run off with a foreign prince, he calls upon the Greek alliance to declare war and sail to Troy.
The war is long and arduous. It lasts for 10 years, and neither side seems to be able to overcome the other. But after a series of furious battles, the Greeks resort to treachery. They sail away after building a huge wooden horse as a farewell gift. To make their trick work, they send in a Greek spy, Sinon, with false messages to confuse the Trojans. This gives the Trojans confidence that the Greeks have really sailed for their homeland. While rejoicing at their triumph over the Greeks, they push the giant horse into Troy. A great celebration then begins. What happens?
Does the trick work? Have the Greeks really returned to their homeland? Why should the phrase: “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts” be taken so literally? What finally happens to Helen? To find the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this award-winning book, “Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Iliad” by Rosemary Sutcliff.
Rosemary Sutcliff (1920-1992) was one of the finest writers of historical fiction since World War II. She wrote extensively about numerous historical figures and events. Her novels about Roman rule in ancient England are particularly well crafted. “The Eagle of the Ninth” is a fine example of her research ability and writing style. It has been made into a movie. She won many literary awards throughout her life.
Unfortunately, Rosemary Sutcliff died at the relatively young age of 62. Her death was a loss to the world of children’s literature. However, the collection of her writings inspires people to this day. I hope you get a chance to read this fine book or any of her other excellent titles.
