Sinon

Family: The Greeks · Role: warrior · First appears: Book XII · Part 2

In Book XII, when the others feared, Sinon volunteered to carry out the Achaeans’ dangerous mission. He told Odysseus and the chiefs, “This work for which ye crave will I perform--” The Trojans tortured him to discover where the Greeks had gone and what the Horse concealed, but he endured and kept to his false account. Hera gave him strength to withstand the torment.

In Book XIII, at Troy, Sinon raised a blazing torch to signal the Argive men; the Greek host saw it and set sail from Tenedos. In Book XIV, the Argives honored him with songs and gifts for enduring the enemy’s torment.

Relationship record

Life events

Sinon volunteered to perform the dangerous mission for the Achaeans.(Book XII · Part 2)
- “This work for which ye crave will I perform-- Yea, though they torture me, though into fire Living they thrust me; for mine heart is fixed Not to escape, but die by hands of foes, Except I crown with glory your desire.”
The Trojans tortured Sinon to learn where the Greeks had gone and what the Horse concealed.(Book XII · Part 3)
- “Then tortured they that man of guileful soul Long time unceasing. Firm as a rock abode The unquivering limbs, the unconquerable will. His ears, his nose, at last they shore away In every wise tormenting him, until He should declare the truth, whither were gone The Danaans in their ships, what thing the Horse Concealed within it.”
Hera gave Sinon strength to endure the torture and maintain his false account.(Book XII · Part 3)
- With: Hera
- “For strong endurance into him Hera breathed; And still he told them the same guileful tale:”
Sinon raised a blazing torch to signal the Argive men.(Book XIII · Part 1 · 📍 Troy)
- “Then Sinon lifted high a blazing torch To show the Argive men the splendour of fire.”
The Greek host set sail from Tenedos after seeing Sinon’s signal.(Book XIII · Part 1 · 📍 Tenedos)
- “The host saw, and from Tenedos set sail.”
The Argives honored Sinon with songs and gifts for enduring torment from the enemy.(Book XIV · Part 1)
- “Far-famed Sinon they extolled For that dire torment he endured of foes; Yea, song and honour-guerdons without end All rendered him:”

Book XII · Part 2

with Odysseus (interaction) “Odysseus, and all ye Achaean chiefs, This work for which ye crave will I perform--”
with Odysseus (Sinon volunteers to carry out the Achaeans' requested work.) “Odysseus, and all ye Achaean chiefs, This work for which ye crave will I perform-- Yea, though they torture me, though into fire Living they thrust me; for mine heart is fixed Not to escape, but die by hands of foes, Except I crown with glory your desire.”

Book XII · Part 3

with Hera (Hera gives Sinon endurance.) “For strong endurance into him Hera breathed;”
with Hera (Hera grants Sinon endurance.) “For strong endurance into him Hera breathed;”
with Calchas (Sinon claims the horse was made on Calchas' advice.) “This horse by Calchas' counsel fashioned they”
with Athena (Sinon claims the horse was made to appease Athena.) “For wise Athena, to propitiate Her stern wrath for that guardian image stol'n From Troy.”
with Odysseus (Sinon claims Odysseus prompted his selection for sacrifice.) “And by Odysseus' prompting I Was marked for slaughter, to be sacrificed To the sea-powers, beside the moaning waves,”

Book XIII · Part 1

with Odysseus (Sinon signals the chiefs, and Odysseus commands them to emerge.) “Then nigh the Horse drew Sinon: softly he called, Full softly, that no man of Troy might hear, But only Achaea's chiefs, far from whose eyes Sleep hovered, so athirst were they for fight. They heard, and to Odysseus all inclined Their ears: he bade them urgently go forth”

Book XIV · Part 1

with Agamemnon (The Argives honored Sinon for enduring torment for their cause.) “Far-famed Sinon they extolled For that dire torment he endured of foes; Yea, song and honour-guerdons without end All rendered him:”

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Extracted from the original text of The Fall of Troy. Made with Rho MD.