Definition: The Trojan Horse put an end to the 10-year-old Trojan War. The wily Greek hero Odysseus conceived the project and design for the Trojan Horse; Epeus, is credited with the actual building. The Greeks left a giant wooden object made to look like a horse at the Trojan city gates. Some of the Greeks pretended to sail away, but actually sailed just out of sight. The other Greeks stood waiting inside the belly of the wooden beast. When the Trojans saw the horse and the departing Greek troops, they thought the wooden horse was a parting gift for the gods, so they wheeled it into their city. Since the Greeks were gone, the long war was over. The city celebrated riotously. When the Trojans passed out or fell asleep, the Greeks climbed down from the belly of the Trojan Horse, opened the city gates and ushered the rest of the troops into the city. The Greeks then sacked, destroyed, and burned Troy.
Also Known As: The horse, the wooden horse
