Editing Trojan War (section)

====Plan of Zeus====

[[File:Polyxena Sarcophagus Now in Troy Museum 7938.jpg|thumb|left|Polyxena Sarcophagus in [[Troy Museum]]]]

According to Greek mythology, [[Zeus]] had become king of the [[Greek pantheon|gods]] by overthrowing his father [[Cronus]]; Cronus in turn had overthrown his father [[Uranus (mythology)|Uranus]]. Zeus was not faithful to his wife and sister [[Hera]], and had many relationships from which many children were born. Since Zeus believed that there were too many people populating the earth, he envisioned [[Momus]]<ref>Scholium on Homer A.5.</ref> or [[Themis]],<ref>Plato, ''Republic'' 2,379e.</ref> who was to use the Trojan War as a means to depopulate the Earth, especially of his demigod descendants.<ref>Apollodorus, ''Epitome'' 3.1, Hesiod Fragment 204,95ff.</ref>

These can be supported by Hesiod's account:

{{blockquote|Now all the gods were divided through strife; for at that very time Zeus who thunders on high was meditating marvelous deeds, even to mingle storm and tempest over the boundless earth, and already he was hastening to make an utter end of the race of mortal men, declaring that he would destroy the lives of the demi-gods, that the children of the gods should not mate with wretched mortals, seeing their fate with their own eyes; but that the blessed gods henceforth even as aforetime should have their living and their habitations apart from men. But on those who were born of immortals and of mankind verily Zeus laid toil and sorrow upon sorrow.<ref>''Berlin Papyri, No. 9739''; Hesiod. ''Catalogue of Women Fra asgment'' ''68.'' Translated by Evelyn-White, H. G. Loeb Classical Library Volume 57. London: William Heinemann, 1914</ref>}}