The Trojan War
By Felicia McSweeney
Backstory
The aforementioned Peleus, the father of Achilles, fell in love with the sea nymph Thetis. Zeus also was interested in her, but then he heard that if Zeus and Thetis had a child it would overthrow him so he gave Peleus and Thetis his blessing. At their wedding, Eris, the goddess of strife, showed up uninvited. She brought a golden apple "for the fairest." The task of choosing the most fair was put upon Paris. Aphrodite said that if he chose her, she would give him the most beautiful wife. He chose Aphrodite.
Helen, Paris and Menelaus
Paris, who was now back in the royal family of troy, took a trip to Sparta when Menelaus was out of town. Him and Helen fell in love and escaped with a large amount of the city's treasure to Troy via Cranae, and island. When the Spartans heard of this, they sent out to demand Helen's return along with the treasure. The Trojans refused, and the Greeks assembled an army to invade Troy, upholding their previous oath to Helen.
Achilles
The Greek fleet of ships was being delayed for a long time by strong winds caused by Artemis. Agamemnon, the commander-in-chief, had offended her and she sent the winds in retaliation. Tired of this happening, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter to appease her. the winds stopped, and the fleet continued to Troy.