scarcely daring to believe that the greeks had sailed for home, scattered over the plain, marveling at the Horse and reminding each other of where the Greek camp had been Soon some shepherds came across a single Greek who had been left behind, Sinon who told them that his compatriots" had wanted to sacrifice him in order to acquire a favorable breeze for their journey; he had with difficulty escaped his chains. This story aroused the compassion of the Trojans, so that they were well disposed to believe the rest of his account He said that the that Athena had turned against them had decided to sail home and attempt to regain the divine their expedition ed. The had made the horse to I propitiateAthena, and they had deliberately made it large in order that the trojans would not be able to take it within their walls. If the horse did enter Troy, the city could never be taken; if it stayed outside, the greeks would definitely return and raze the city to the ground a few of the Trojans mistrusted the horse and were reluctant to bring it within heir walls. Priam's prophetic daughter Cassandra, whose fate it was never to have her prophecies believed, warned of the death and destruction its entry into Troy would bring. And Laocoon, the priest of Poseidon, cast his spear against the flanks of the Horse, which resounded with the clang of armed men, and declared that he feared the Greeks, even when they brought gifts. But as he was pre a sacrifice to the god he served, two great serpents came up from the sea and strangled first his two young sons and then Laocoon himself, before gliding on to take refuge under the altar of Athena. Upon this omen the Trojans hesitated no more, but proceeded to drag the great Horse within their walls, pulling down their fortifications in order to do so. Even then, the hiding place of the greek heroes might have been discovered, for Helen took it into her head to come down to the horse. and walking round it to call out the names of the Greek heroes, mimicking the voice of each man's wife. Some were tempted to reply, and only Odysseus had the presence of mind to stifle" their voices The Sack of Troy When darkness fell, the treacherous Sinon signaled to the fleet at Tenedos, which returned silently to its old anchorage, Sinon also released the heroes from theil confinement in the Horse, and the scene was set for the sack of Troy. As the greeks from the Horse were joined by their comrades from the ships, the Trojans awoke from sleep to find their city going up in flames. The men fought desperately, resolved at least to sell their lives dear, appalled by the sight of their wives and children being dragged from their places of refuge to be either slaughtered or taken prisoner. Most pitiable was the death of Priam, murdered at the altar in his courtyard by Neoptolemus 7070 scarcely daring to believe that the Greeks had sailed for home, scattered over the plain, marveling at the Horse and reminding each other of where the Greek camp had been. Soon some shepherds came across a single Greek who had been left behind, Sinon, who told them that his compatriots51 had wanted to sacrifice him in order to acquire a favorable breeze for their journey; he had with difficulty escaped his chains. This story aroused the compassion of the Trojans, so that they were well disposed to believe the rest of his account. He said that the Greeks, believing that Athena had turned against them, had decided to sail home and attempt to regain the divine favor that their expedition had originally enjoyed. They had made the Horse to propitiate52 Athena, and they had deliberately made it large in order that the Trojans would not be able to take it within their walls. If the Horse did enter Troy, the city could never be taken; if it stayed outside, the Greeks would definitely return and raze53 the city to the ground. A few of the Trojans mistrusted the Horse and were reluctant to bring it within their walls. Priam’s prophetic daughter Cassandra, whose fate it was never to have her prophecies believed, warned of the death and destruction its entry into Troy would bring. And Laocoon, the priest of Poseidon, cast his spear against the flanks of the Horse, which resounded with the clang of armed men, and declared that he feared the Greeks, even when they brought gifts. But as he was preparing a sacrifice to the god he served, two great serpents came up from the sea and strangled54 first his two young sons and then Laocoon himself, before gliding on to take refuge under the altar of Athena. Upon this omen the Trojans hesitated no more, but proceeded to drag the great Horse within their walls, pulling down their fortifications in order to do so. Even then, the hiding place of the Greek heroes might have been discovered, for Helen took it into her head to come down to the Horse, and, walking round it, to call out the names of the Greek heroes, mimicking the voice of each man’s wife. Some were tempted to reply, and only Odysseus had the presence of mind55 to stifle56 their voices. The Sack of Troy When darkness fell, the treacherous Sinon signaled to the fleet at Tenedos, which returned silently to its old anchorage; Sinon also released the heroes from their confinement in the Horse, and the scene was set for the sack of Troy. As the Greeks from the Horse were joined by their comrades from the ships, the Trojans awoke from sleep to find their city going up in flames. The men fought desperately, resolved at least to sell their lives dear, appalled57 by the sight of their wives and children being dragged from their places of refuge to be either slaughtered or taken prisoner. Most pitiable was the death of Priam, murdered at the altar in his courtyard by Neoptolemus