In Greek mythology, Sinon, a son of Aesimus (son of Autolycus), or of the crafty Sisyphus, was a Greek warrior during the Trojan War. Virgil, Aeneid 2.79). Priam 1 pardoned him, but (as others also say) the king asked about the horse. And then Sinon tempted the Trojans thus: "But Calchas bade them built the horse of enormous size ... so that it could not get through your gates or be towed within the walls, and thus become your guardian ..." (Sinon to the Trojans. Moreover, the horse would make them stronger than ever, enabling them to bring their host to Hellas and conquer her. See more. (Sinon to the Trojans. The Greeks, pretending to desert the war, sailed to the nearby island of Tenedos, leaving behind Sinon, who persuaded the Trojans that the horse was an offering to Athena (goddess of war) that would make Troy impregnable. "This work for which you crave will I perform—yea, though they torture me, though into fire living they thrust me; for my heart is fixed not to escape, but die by hands of foes, except I crown with glory your desire." When the Trojans came to marvel at the huge creation, Sinon pretended to be angry with the Greeks, stating that they had deserted him. (Apollodorus, Library "Epitome" 5.15). Sinon was a character in Greek mythology, who participated in the Trojan War on the side of the Achaeans. Now Sinon told the Trojans that Odysseus, wishing to frame him, had pulled Calchas forth to tell the god's will; but Calchas, not wishing to commit to death anyone by his utterance, was reluctant to follow Odysseus' vicious advice, and the latter, having lost his patience, pointed out Sinon as sacrificial victim nevertheless, a decision promptly approved by all since it absolved everyone else. And he added: "So at this moment they're running free towards Mycenae ... they built this horse to dispel the curse of guilt for stealing Athena's image and wounding her godhead.". He pretended to have deserted the Greeks and, as a Trojan captive, told the Trojans that the giant wooden horse the Greeks had left behind was intended as a gift to the gods to ensue their safe voyage home. They let an armed force hide itself inside the horse, and in order to induce the Trojans to bring it within the walls, they left it abandoned in the plain, feigning retreat after engraving on the horse a treacherous inscription: "For their return home, the Achaeans dedicate this thank-offering to Athena." Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 12.233). And having thus touched their hearts, he asked for mercy, which the Trojans granted. And himself, he added, being a poor man, had served the same Palamedes as a squire, enjoying distinction for as long as his master's authority was unshaken. He could reproach the Achaeans many things, Sinon; he nevertheless put up with each and all of them. domain member category: trojan war, : definition: (Greek mythology) a great war fought between Greece and Troy; the Greeks sailed to Troy to recover Helen of Troy, the beautiful wife of Menelaus who had been abducted by Paris; after ten years the Greeks (via the Trojan Horse) achieved final victory and burned Troy to the ground (noun.act) So, the Greeks built a large wooden horse, the so-called Trojan horse, and then embarked on their ships and presumably set sail back to … The rest of the Greek fleet sailed away, so as to deceive the Trojans. For the wise and prudent man renown is better far than gold, than goodlihead, than all good things men have or hope to win." But when Odysseus heard the threat, said Sinon to the Trojans, he started to persecute him with new slanders, conspiring against him in every possible way, and even putting such important persons as Calchas under his influence. Moreover, the horse would make them stronger than ever, enabling them to bring their host to Hellas and conquer her. Greek Mythology is the set of stories about the gods, goddesses, heroes and rituals of Ancient Greeks. 2.79) of Sisyphus, and a grandson of Autolycus, was a relation of Odysseus, and is described in later poems as having accompanied his kinsman to Troy (Tzetz. The Trojans were eager to bring the horse within the city walls, excited by Sinon's words. He then proceeded to say that the Trojan horse had been built by the Greeks as a gift to the gods in order to ensure their safe return home. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 12.375). According to Hesiod the Cyclopes are the gigantic sons of Uranus and Gaea, named Argos, Steropes, and Brontes. And here Sinon is reported to have answered: "If you allow it to abide her in its place, it is decreed that the spear of the Achaeans shall capture Troy; but if Athena receive it a holy offering in her shrine, then they shall flee away with their task unaccomplished." He began his speech by recalling the fate of Palamedes, whom the Achaeans had put to death as traitor, for being, Sinon said, against the war. But some say that, the day before, when the fate of the WOODEN HORSE, whether to destroy it or to keep it, was yet to be decided, Sinon was captured by some Trojan shepherds, who brought him handcuffed into the king's presence. Sinon was a character in Greek mythology, who participated in the Trojan War on the side of the Achaeans. And having thus touched their hearts, he asked for mercy, which the Trojans granted. Aen. Besides Odysseus, Sinon is probably the most important guy in the whole Trojan Horse plot.After all the other Greeks have either sailed away or hidden inside the horse, Sinon stays out to help convince the Trojans to drag the horse into the city. The list does not include creatures; for these, seeList of Greek mythological creatures. Virgil. But now the Trojans wished to hear more, and Sinon was only eager to please them. He could reproach the Achaeans many things, Sinon; he nevertheless put up with each and all of them. For this prowess, for having lured the enemy and have endured torture, for knowing how to tell lies, or for being able to keep a secret Sinon won much praise at the hour of victory. And here Sinon is reported to have answered: "If you allow it to abide her in its place, it is decreed that the spear of the Achaeans shall capture Troy; but if Athena receive it a holy offering in her shrine, then they shall flee away with their task unaccomplished." Who advised it? That Troy (said Sinon that Calchas had declared) could never be taken unless the Achaeans sailed back home to fetch new luck. A son of Aesimus, or according to Virgil 1 of Sisyphus, and a grandson of Autolycus, was a relation of Odysseus, and is described in later poems as having accompanied his kinsman to Troy. One man, Sinon, was left behind. Follow/Fav Sinon. The most popular Greek Mythology figures include Greek Gods like Zeus , Poseidon & Apollo , Greek Goddesses like Aphrodite , Hera & Athena and Titans like Atlas . Sinon In Greek mythology, Sinon (Greek: `Σίνων`, from the verb `σίνομαι`—sinomai, `to harm, to hurt`) a son of Aesimus (son of Autolycus), or of the crafty Sisyphus, was a Greek warrior during the Trojan War. He was the son of Aesimus or of Sisiphus. ... said the Trojan seer Laocoon 2, when he heard Sinon's account. Cassandra, a Trojan prophetess who was cursed by Apollo to not be believed by anyone, warned her compatriots against this decision. But Sinon had a single string of words to provide: "The Achaeans in their ships flee overseas, weary of tribulation of endless war. "A deadly fraud is this" (Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 12.390). In Greek mythology, Sinon (Greek: "Σίνων", from the verb "σίνομαι"—sinomai, "to harm, to hurt" ), a son of Aesimus (son of Autolycus) or of the crafty Sisyphus, was a Greek warrior during the Trojan War. Is their object religious? (Sinon to the Achaeans, volunteering for his dangerous task. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 12.243). Misc Greek Mythology. Their father threw them into Tart1rus, and they assisted Cronus to the sovereignty. Smith, William. See Also: Sisiphus, Odysseus, Trojan War, Cassandra, Laocoon, Achaeans, Sinon: GreekMythology.com - Dec 21, 2020, Greek Mythology iOS Volume Purchase Program VPP for Education App. That Troy (said Sinon that Calchas had declared) could never be taken unless the Achaeans sailed back home to fetch new luck. (Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 14.112). Insight After ten years of fruitless military efforts, the Achaeans realized that Troy perhaps could be taken by cunning instead of by force, and this insight invited them to construct a WOODEN HORSE, which was to become the instrument of their victory. Sinon （ Σίνων), a son of Aesimus, or according to Virgil (Aen. Confession Then Priam 1 ordered the handcuffs to be struck off and asked him: "Why did they build this huge monster of a horse? Insight (1870). Trumpcard Having come that far in his story, Sinon told the Trojans that there was no point in delaying them any longer with sorry tales, and played his trumpcard, telling them that if they thought all Achaeans were alike they could as well condemn him, and added that Odysseus would love that, and the sons of Atreus would pay them handsomely. Sinon pretended to have been abandoned by his fellow soldiers and have deserted the Greek army; when he was caught by the Trojans, he attributed this to the rivalry between himself and Odysseus. Virgil, Aeneid 2.79). The armed force inside the horse was thought to come forth in the middle of the night and open the gates for the rest of the army, which, after burning their own tents in front of Troy, was waiting with their fleet off the island of Tenedos, or perhaps near cape Sigeum, for a signal to attack. He was the son of Aesimus or of Sisiphus. Tryphiodorus, The Taking of Ilios 296). (Apollodorus, Library "Epitome" 5.15). But at night, the same Sinon showed his message with a shining brand. Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy 12.233). Sinon was the grandson of Autolycus, known for his skill in theft and trickery. He also convinced the Trojans that the reason it was so big was to make sure that the Trojans would not be able to carry it into the city, which would protect Troy from any future Achaean invasion. In Greek mythology, the round-eyed ones. For this prowess, for having lured the enemy and have endured torture, for knowing how to tell lies, or for being able to keep a secret Sinon won much praise at the hour of victory. And they say that he cared much more for Fame than for his lost nose and ears, since they chant thus: "And for his own misfeaturing sorrowed not. 2. The ancient Greek Gods and Goddess contain a wealth of stories and legends, wrapped in Myths which typically provide a story with a morale code designed to influence the reader into behaviour as fitting Greek culture of the era. But when he came to himself, Sinon said that the Achaeans had punished him because he had refused to flee. Is their object religious? Template:Pp-move-indef Template:Pp-move. But some say that, the day before, when the fate of the WOODEN HORSE, whether to destroy it or to keep it, was yet to be decided, Sinon was captured by some Trojan shepherds, who brought him handcuffed into the king's presence. Also this was done according to plan. The shining brands Priam 1 pardoned him, but (as others also say) the king asked about the horse. Wily as ever, Odysseus is the guy who comes up with the whole Trojan Horse plan. According to the myth, towards the end of the war, Odysseus crafted a plan in order to take over the city of Troy. But at night, when sleep had come upon the city, Sinon lifted high a blazing torch to tell the army that the time had come to return, and unlocking the horse, let his fellows come forth. According to the myth, towards the end of the war, Odysseus crafted a plan in order to take over the city of Troy. This horse by Calchas' counsel fashioned they for wise Athena, to propitiate." Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. What Sinon had not told his captors, though, was that the Trojan horse was hollow inside, hiding the best of the Greek soldiers. they asked. The man who carried out Odysseus's plan to lead to the fall of Troy. When night came, Sinon let the Greeks out of the wooden horse, and Troy was sacked. The prisoner Sinon, who had deliberately put himself in the path of his captors (for one of his tasks was to abide by the horse), did not deny that he was one of the Achaeans, but swore that he would tell the whole truth, asseverating: "... if Fortune has cast Sinon for tragedy, she shall not wantonly shape me into a liar as well." But at night, the same Sinon showed his message with a shining brand. He told them that the Achaeans often longed to withdraw and return home, but the winds were always against them; that finally they sent one of them to Apollo's oracle to inquire, and that the god had answered that by the same way they had appeased the winds at Aulis when sailing against Troy, they should do now. 344; Heyne, Excurs. ... to which he added that he had fled the Achaeans because he was marked for slaughter, to be sacrificed to win the army a safe return. (Sinon to the Trojans. In that shape, with weals all over, he appealed to Priam 1 as a suppliant, grovelling before the king's feet, touching his knees, and accusing the Achaeans for what they had done to Achilles (from whom they snatched away his sweetheart Briseis); for their pitiless ways when they abandoned the wounded Philoctetes; for the treacherous framing of Palamedes, whom they slandered and stoned to death. Aeneid vi, 36. For the wise and prudent man renown is better far than gold, than goodlihead, than all good things men have or hope to win." Having come that far in his story, Sinon told the Trojans that there was no point in delaying them any longer with sorry tales, and played his trumpcard, telling them that if they thought all Achaeans were alike they could as well condemn him, and added that Odysseus would love that, and the sons of Atreus would pay them handsomely. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberly. The Performer's make-up Others have said that Sinon, in order to perform his role properly, scarred his limbs with stripes, letting blood flow over his shoulders from wounds that he inflicted to his own body; for only then the Trojans would come closer to believe that he was the enemy of his own people. Virgil, Aeneid 2.180ff.). (en) Sinon (griech. Sinon captured Also this was done according to plan. And what is this horse?" 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