HOSTILE PEOPLES-Trojan War Edition!

HOSTILE PEOPLES

-a warlike people review-

TROJAN WAR PERSPECTIVES

Being a non-baised newspaper, Hostile Peoples like to give the news from all points of view, so people from all over were brought in to be interviewed on the Trojan War. There are Nikolas and Amas, Greek warriors. There is Echemmom, a Trojan warrior. There is Pithana, a Hittite scribe. Finally, there is Koon, a Sea Person. The interviewer is Adamus. The people were interviewed at slightly different times in the war because of travel times between the places.

Nikolas and Amas-Greek Warriors
Adamus: "Hey I'm Adamus, and I'm here to ask you a few questions. First off, why have you chosen to fight this war with the Trojans?"
Nikolas: "I am sent because I am of the city-state that Helen was taken from."
Amas: "I did not get to choose whether or not to fight, I had to. I was of the many people that wished to court Helen, so I was made to swear an oath to protect the rights of her husband should anyone try to take her away. I came from Pylos. I am here to help bring her back, according to my word."
Adamus: "Greece is an area of many divided city-states. How has Agamemnon unified you in spite of this?"
Amas: "That's a hard objective that Agamemnon has accomplished."
Nikolas: "I think he used the common goal and common enemy angle to bring us together. Such a centripetal force has seemed to work out well so far."
Adamus: "You spoke of centripetal forces. Do you know of any other of these forces that is holding the Greek army together against the Trojans?
Nikolas: "Well, we also have a similar cultural identity. We worhsip the same gods, speak the same language, and more like that."
Amas: "I agree. We are similar even down to liking the same kinds of art. This all helps to keep us unified, though sometimes it is hard."
Adamus: "What areas are the warriors you've come to know from?"
Amas: "Well, my companions are from Mycenae, Pylos, Sparta, and Thebes."
Adamus: "And you, Nikolas?"
Nikolas: "My comrades are from Iolkos, Orchomenos, and various islands."
Amas: "People from Greece are coming from all around for this war."
Adamus: "How long has this war lasted and what is the attitude of the army after so much time?"
Nikolas: "Well, it's been well over nine years. This has been a drawn out war, and we are still at a stalemate."
Amas: "The army is starting to fall apart. We aren't unified as much as before anymore. It's becoming hopeless. Many warriors are thinking of traveling home. The people are tired of the constant war."
Adamus: "So you're saying that you're not as much of a hostile people anymore? *chuckle*"
Nikolas: "Yeah, I guess...why?"
Adamus: "It was a joke...That's the name of the newspaper I'm interviewing you for."
Amas: "What's a newspaper?"
Adamus: "That doesn't matter right now...What has kept the war at such a stalemate for so long?"
Nikolas: "The Trojan's walls. They live inside of a walled city. We can't get past them."
Amas: "I think the plan started out that we should just wipe them out, but then we realized they had the walls, so I think the plan now is for siege."
Adamus: "Do you know of any heroes on your side of the war?"
Amas: "Well there's Achilles, Patroclus, the two Ajaxes..."
Nikolas: "...Teucer, Nestor, Odysseus, and Diomedes."
Adamus: "Okay, cool. Well, it's been a good time interviewing you and I hope to see you again." Nikolas: "It's been a pleasure being interviewed."
Amas: "Bye."

Continued on page A9

Echemmom-Trojan Warrior
Adamus: "Hey I'm Adamus, and I'm here to ask you a few questions. First off, why did this war start between you and the Greeks?"
Echemmom: "Well, Paris, prince of Troy, went and wooed Helen. He took her from the husband she was already married to, Menelaus, and brought her back here. That, obviously, angered the Greeks, as it would anyone else. After we refused to give Helen back, the Greeks gathered up their armies and allies to come here. We have now been fighting for almost ten years."
Adamus: "How has Troy survived the siege?"
Echemmom: "Well, we have underground water supplies and stored food, but they are now depleting."
Adamus: "What's with the walls?"
Echemmom: "Well, they keep the Greeks out (the good part) and they keep us almost trapped in (the bad part)."
Adamus: "Do you have any comments about the layers of walls I have been hearing about?"
Echemmom: "Well, Troy has been around for many years, and as it has evolved and as the city has been destroyed, we have just built on top of the remains. That helps make it such a hill. That is also why remains of older, destroyed walls can be seen today. I have a feeling we will continue to do this, as it is to the benefit of the city."
Adamus: "How would you describe this story to others?"
Echemmom: "It is a tale of love and war."
Adamus: "You seem to know a lot about Troy's history. Can you tell me a little about it?"
Echemmom: "Well, it was founded by Ilus, son of Tros, from whom the name of Troy was derived. Ilus' son was Laomedon, and his son is Priam, who is currently ruler of Troy. Priam's son is Paris, who took Helen. Hector, the commander-in-chief of our army, is Paris' brother."
Adamus: "So, how do you think this war will end?"
Echemmom: "Well, and this may just be pride speaking, but the only thing that could defeat us is nature or the gods. I have a feeling we will win, in the end. Our allies our sending us support, as well, so I have a good feeling about it."
Adamus: "What about the heroes of this war?"
Echemmom: "Well, there's Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphobus, Aeneas, Sarpedon and Glaucus, Memnon, and Turnus. I also hear that Achilles had abandoned the Greek forces, so that is good news for our ranks."
Adamus: "Who is your favorite and why?"
Echemmom: "Hector, because recently he has accomplished a lot. He smashed the fortification of the Greek camp, and he also set one of the Greek ships on fire."
Adamus: "Wow, so do you believe Hector will come out of the war alive?"
Echemmom: "As long as Achilles is gone, I believe he will live through and lead us to victory as commander-in-chief of the army."
Adamus: "Okay, so-"
Echemmom: "I must leave for battle now. My duty is to my ruler before some...What was it? Newspaper?"
Adamus: "Yes, it's for...Okay, he just left."

A9

Pithana-Hittite Scribe
Adamus: "Hey I'm Adamus, and I'm here to ask you a few questions. For one, where are you from?"
Pithana: "I'm from Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Kingdom. Obviously, we are in Asia Minor. And, before you ask, I have no relation to the Pithana whose successor made Nesa into one of the capitals."
Adamus: "I hear that you're a scribe. Is this true?"
Pithana: "Yes, it is."
Adamus: "Well then, I hear you keep a diplomatic archive of the events going on in the area. Can you describe them to me?"
Pithana: "Well, right now I'm finishing my coverage of the events of the Trojan War with the Greeks. We corresponded with the Greeks for information, but are allies to the Trojans. We use cuneiform and clay tablets. The Greeks won the war, and both their empire and our empire seem to be moving toward a Dark Age. Writings of this is my next project. I hear of a people of the sea coming to do battle. It does not look good for us. That is the project after."
Adamus: "There are different accounts of what ended the war. What do you believe?"
Pithana: "Well, the most common story is that an earthquake brought down the walls of Troy. To be honest, I think that earthquake represents something other than nature. I was sure that the Greeks would win the war before such a thing would happen, even though I rooted for the Trojans. I think the earthquake is representative of a Greek action, but they called it an earthquake to praise Poseidon for his help. I think they must have used something like a horse to help. Possibly hiding inside and being taken inside the gates. They could then attack from inside the city and slaughter. This is just a theory."
Adamus: "Interesting theory. Now, what do you think is the cause of the onset of a Dark Age?"
Pithana: "Well, our empire was unstable and overspecialized. Then the famine hit. Now I hear a Sea People is coming to make war with us. There is a mass migration out of the city. There is civil war. Rivaling claims to the throne are made. This all just adds up."
Adamus: "How has your civilization come to this?"
Pithana: "Well, from Labarna to now, decisions have been made incorrectly. We should have focused on keeping a stable civilization more than specializing. That has caused the famine to take such a toll."
Adamus: "So, do you think Troy will ever be forgotten?"
Pithana: "That is something I am trying to prevent. I don't think Troy will ever be forgotten, though. This has been a long war between huge powers of the area. If my records are never found, then someone else's should be. This war was a big deal. The only thing that should ever be debated is the reason that the war ended. This even I am not sure of. I have no more patience to answer questions for this Newspaper person, so I will leave now and get back to work."
Adamus: "Well, thanks for your time, but I need to complete the most difficult part of my search for knowledge. I need to find a Sea Person."

A10

Koon-Sea Person
Adamus: "Hey I'm Adamus, and I journeyed from afar to ask you a few questions. It took some searching, but now I finally can sit down for the last portion of my article. For one, a newspaper is something that has the news all written down in many pages of paper. Every single person I have interviewed so far has had no clue. Just shake your head and pretend you understand..."
Koon: "Okay..." *nod, nod*
Adamus: "Now we can get to the questions. First, where are you all mostly from and why have you caused such a collapse of society in the Hittite Empire?"
Koon: "We are of many people from all over. Most of us are displaced Mycenaeans, though. We are invaders of Asia Minor and Syria. We conquer and control. The Hittite Empire fell to us as the Egyptians will."
Adamus: "You seem very confident. How can you be so sure you will defeat Ramses III and his forces?"
Koon: "Well, they are already weak from the war with the Libyans, and we are strong."
Adamus: "You have been called a symptom of the dissolve of the Hittite Empire. Any comments?"
Koon: "Good, intimidation will help us. We invaded the Hittite Empire in a time of their weakness, and overcame easily."
Adamus: "Do you ever regret what you do or consider it as morally wrong?"
Koon: "Well, we are a seafaring, raiding, bandit people. What do you expect?"
Adamus: "Do you spend more time on the sea or on land?"
Koon: "We spend more time on the land, but we attack from the sea whenever we can."
Adamus: "The Egyptians are keeping records of your progress. They call you a foreign people that cut off where you are attacking, and then destroy the places one at a time. Could this have been the reason you are known as Sea Peoples? You surround and make an island, then attack."
Koon: "Well, I don't think so, but possibly."
Adamus: "Well, the Egyptians also say that no land can stand before your arms. Again, any comments?"
Koon: "Well, that is exactly the impression we like to make and that is exactly what we have done so far..."
Adamus: "Rumors say that you are part of the cause of the fall of the Mycenaean city-state. Is this true?"
Koon: "We may have had a hand in it, but why should I tell you?"
Adamus: "I guess, 'for the name of literature', wouldn't be a good answer?"
Koon: "No...You know, we are the reason of the onslaught in the Mediterranean? Why would you dare to come into our camp for some writings on paper? You would risk your life for such a cause?"
Adamus: "My life and my job, sir. I also thought I'd be the one asking the questions..."
Koon: "You'd better run, if you value your life..."
Adamus: "How long have I got?"
Koon: "I'll give you a few minutes before my men come after you...Go!"
Adamus: "Well then, I'd better go..."

And so he did, but he was captured by the Sea Peoples. Their only record said that they captured him while he was still writing down the story. The work has survived because of the Egyptians triumph over the Sea Peoples. They saw to it that the writings were returned safely.

A11