For ten grueling years, the Greeks laid siege to Troy, scattering ships and encampments across the city's shores.
But as the Trojans awoke for another day of battle, they found their enemies had vanished overnight — leaving behind only an enormous wooden horse.
Seeing this as a symbol of the Greek's surrender, the soldiers dragged their prize into the city and began to celebrate.
But one Trojan wasn't happy.
Laocoön, a seer and priest, was deeply suspicious of the Greek gift.
He reminded his fellow Trojans of their enemy's reputation for trickery, and cautioned them not to accept this strange offering.
The crowd jeered at his warning, but Laocoön was undeterred.
He forced his way to the wooden beast and thrust his sword into its belly.
Yet his blade drew no blood.
And if there were men shifting inside, Laocoön couldn't hear them over the crowd.
