The Irony of the gods and goddesses
The Trojans are archetypal polytheists. They worship and pay sacrifices to many gods and goddesses in return for divine protection. They believe in the great power of their gods and goddesses. However, during the city's fall, the gods and goddesses do not help them. The gods and goddesses allow the Greeks to destroy the whole city, including the temples where they are worshipped. The destruction of the city means that the prayers and sacrifices the Trojans have been offering to the gods are ineffective. Moreover, the destruction implies that the gods and goddesses are not as powerful as the Trojans believe.
"Troy Had Won the War"
The Trojans believe that they are victors in the Trojan War. Their belief is amplified by the Greeks' departure from Troy. The Trojans watch as the Greeks leave their city. However, in a turn of events, the Greeks destroy Troy. The destruction is so severe that everything in the city is reduced to ashes. The Trojans' ironic defeat is attributed to the Greeks' psychological game that makes it easy to dupe the Trojans. After the successful duping, the Greeks strike Troy once all the Trojans have relaxed and let down their guard. Overconfidence contributes to the defeat of the Trojans; they lose a war they believed to have won.
"Troy was Properly Defended"
Trojans believe their city cannot be conquered because it is adequately defended. They hold that the defenses they have implemented would make it impossible for the Greeks to defeat them. However, the Greeks employ tricks that enable them to get into the city and destroy it completely. The Greeks are astute conquerors and strategists who find a way to infiltrate the fortified city. The Trojans are overconfident; they overlook the likely strategies the Greeks could deploy. Therefore, there is more to winning a war than fortification. The enemies could circumvent defenses.
