April 24, 1184 BC - It is traditionally held that city of Troy fell on this date after a ten year siege by the armies of Greece. According to legend, the Greeks, unable to break through the city's walls, turned to trickery to achieve their goal. A plan was devised where the Greeks would withdrawal from view behind the nearby island of Tenedos leaving a giant wooden horse (right) as a "gift" for the Trojans. The horse was to be full of Greek soldiers who would open the gates once it had been brought into the city.

The horse was constructed by Epeius and manned with soldiers commanded by Odysseus. Following the plan, the Greeks burned their camp and sailed to Tenedos, fooling the Trojans into thinking they had departed. After some internal debate, the Trojans brought the horse into the city and proceeded to celebrate the Greek's retreat. Once the city was asleep, Odysseus and his men killed the guards, opened the gates, and signaled the Greeks to return. The Greek soldiers flooded through the city, pillaging, enslaving the populace, and burning the city.

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