What were the two parts of Sinon’s lie to the Trojans, and why was each part important? Cite textual evidence in your answer.
Sinon's two-part lie to the Trojans was that the Greeks had left the wooden horse as an offering to the goddess Athena to secure safe passage home, and that the horse was too large to fit through the gates of Troy so the Trojans would have to take it into the city for the goddess to protect them.
The first part of Sinon's lie was important because it appealed to the Trojans’ religious beliefs and made them believe that the wooden horse was a symbol of peace and goodwill from the Greeks. Sinon states, “We built this great horse as a gift for Athena, so we could sail home.” (The Aeneid, Book II) This lie played on the Trojans' desire for reconciliation and their belief in the benevolence of the gods.
The second part of Sinon's lie was crucial because it manipulated the Trojans into bringing the wooden horse inside the walls of the city, allowing the hidden Greek soldiers within to emerge and attack. Sinon says, “We meant to build you a way to heaven, once inside your walls.” (The Aeneid, Book II) This part of the lie exploited the Trojans' pride and sense of invincibility, leading to the downfall of Troy.
Overall, Sinon's lies were strategically crafted to appeal to the Trojans’ beliefs and emotions, ultimately leading to their defeat.