Trojan War and Helen

Menelaus

Troy:
In the movie Menelaus is killed by Hector when Menelaus is about to kill his brother, Paris. Therefore Helen is free to be with Paris. Iliad:
In the Iliad, Menelaus doesn’t die. In the end Menelaus ends up taking Helen back as his wife.

Achilles Troy:
In the movie Achilles was killed in the battle at troy. This totally changes the ending and makes the Greeks seem that much more reliant on Achilles. Iliad:
In the Iliad, Achilles dies before the Trojan horse ever enters the city. This proves that Greece can still hold their own. Achilles son was actually the one who fought in the battle at troy.

Paris Troy:
In the movie Paris lives through the battle and it is portrayed that he gets away and goes off with Helen and Hector’s widow and child. Iliad:
In the Iliad Paris is actually killed in the battle within the city of Troy by an arrow. Because of this it is possible for Menelaus to claim Helen back at the end.

Major differences: Troy: - War lasted 17 days
- Achilles died in battle at troy
- Menelaus was killed by Hector
- Paris lived and escaped with Helen Iliad: - War lasted 10 years
- Achilles died before Trojan Horse
- Menelaus lived and got Helen
- Paris dies by arrow at troy. Minor Differences: Troy: - Fought mostly with swords
- Helen had no children
- City protected by 50ft wall
- The plain in front of Troy was empty Iliad: - Fought mostly with spears
- Helen had a daughter by Menelaus
- City protected by deep trench
- The Scamander River ran through the plain in front of Troy

Length of the war: Troy:
In Troy the length of the war was only 17 days long. This greatly decreases the significance of the overall event and makes it seem not as important. The Iliad:
In the Iliad the war lasts an entire 10 years. This creates a huge impact and depicts the on going events and battles with great significance.

Helen: Troy:
In the movie Troy, Helen has not yet had any children before meeting Paris.
This made it much easier and a smoother transition for to spontaneously leave Sparta. The act of Aphrodite gifting Helen to Paris is not shown in the film, their love is bound without the Goddess’ actions. The Iliad:
In The Iliad Helen had a daughter. The father of her daughter was Menelaus.
However Aphrodite intervened to gift Paris of Troy, Helen of Sparta.