Interestingly Conan is supposed to in some stories to outlive his beloved Zenobia, mourn for her for an extra 15 years and is later mourned by his son and daughters. In other versions he is outlived by her and is buried and mourned for by her. I like the first idea.
I know this story well and yes, this is the one with the worst/least female role in the series lol. There are many stories with amazing strong female characters that support Conan, and some which are 1920s styled ditseys. If you want my personal two top favorites for female leads read "The People of the Black Circle" or for the super badass "Red Nails."
I like to think that Conan would have used his strength, wits, and determination to kill Achilles. I also wonder how many knew Achilles's skin's secret? Why not drop boulders on the man as he ran around Troy's walls? Why not break his bones? Trick and capture the young fool?
But I have many questions about that war. Why not bribe the Greeks' enemies to raid their homes? Why did no one stab Paris one night and fling his body over the wall? Then there would be no reason to keep Helen; what's Agamemnon going to do when the other kings pack up and leave?
I've never had any respect for stupid military leaders. 🤷♂️ Could be why I only served a short period.
True. I subscribe to the belief that in war if you ain't cheating, you don't belong in the field. Like Cuchulain, the Irish warrior who practiced throwing his spear with his foot and fought of an army by sniping and ambush.
And the Trojans do tend to double down on stupid throughout the Iliad. Literally, Paris accepted the offer from the weakest of the gods. 🤦♂️
Interestingly Conan is supposed to in some stories to outlive his beloved Zenobia, mourn for her for an extra 15 years and is later mourned by his son and daughters. In other versions he is outlived by her and is buried and mourned for by her. I like the first idea.
I know this story well and yes, this is the one with the worst/least female role in the series lol. There are many stories with amazing strong female characters that support Conan, and some which are 1920s styled ditseys. If you want my personal two top favorites for female leads read "The People of the Black Circle" or for the super badass "Red Nails."
I’ve read Red Nails and posted an essay on Valeria. https://maryh10000.substack.com/p/a-woman-who-fights I like the way Howard writes women. I am planning on reading all his Conan stories.
Oh great! Yeah she was epic. I like them all too. But she stood out. I would definitely recommend reading them all!
dont forget Belit! Queen of the black coast!
True! That was is epic, but the girl is a bit twisted for my tastes haha
I like to think that Conan would have used his strength, wits, and determination to kill Achilles. I also wonder how many knew Achilles's skin's secret? Why not drop boulders on the man as he ran around Troy's walls? Why not break his bones? Trick and capture the young fool?
But I have many questions about that war. Why not bribe the Greeks' enemies to raid their homes? Why did no one stab Paris one night and fling his body over the wall? Then there would be no reason to keep Helen; what's Agamemnon going to do when the other kings pack up and leave?
I've never had any respect for stupid military leaders. 🤷♂️ Could be why I only served a short period.
The heel wasn't a thing in the Iliad, it developed later.
Also, when Paris died in the war, they married Helen off to Deiphobus
True. I subscribe to the belief that in war if you ain't cheating, you don't belong in the field. Like Cuchulain, the Irish warrior who practiced throwing his spear with his foot and fought of an army by sniping and ambush.
And the Trojans do tend to double down on stupid throughout the Iliad. Literally, Paris accepted the offer from the weakest of the gods. 🤦♂️