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Dear Delegates,
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Tenth Annual Five College Model United
Nations Conference held from March 24 through March 26, on Mount Holyoke College’s scenic
campus. We are beyond thrilled to receive both you and your delegation!
Over the years, FCMUN has cultivated a reputation for being one of the most engaging and
well-planned conferences on the circuit and we plan to take this image one step forward. This
year, our slogan is “​Fierce. Unique. Innovativ​e.” We recognize that every detail is important in
organizing a successful conference, and hence our Secretariat includes a combination of
well-seasoned delegates and students with years of experience in events, logistics and
business affairs to ensure that you have the ultimate FCMUN [X]perience.
The conference is set to be propelled by intriguing discussions and exhilarating debate, and its
social mixers are geared to be full of fun and enthusiasm. We could not be more thrilled to
welcome you to what is sure to be one of the greatest MUN weekends of your life!
Your Secretary General,
Thaen Kanan 17’
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Esteemed Delegates,
It is our extreme pleasure to welcome you to the 10th edition of the Five College Model United
Nations conference, FCMUN X. This year’s conference boasts an array of fascinating and
intellectually-stimulating committees; from attempting to save the world from a possible WWIII
and deciding the future of the Arctic, to deciding who has the power in the Da Ming Palace, and
the fortune of the Bluth family.
It has been an absolute thrill putting this conference together, and we are as excited as you are
for it. In anticipation, we encourage you to get intimate with your background guides and
research materials for a truly rewarding FCMUN experience. If you hit a stumbling block at any
moment in your preparation process, please feel free to reach out to your Crisis Directors - they
are pleased to hear from you.
Looking forward,
Under Secretary Generals, Committees and Summits
Edith Amoafoa-Smart(Mount Holyoke College ‘19)
Shaye McDonald(Mount Holyoke College ‘17)
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Note from the Crisis Director
Hello esteemed delegates, I am a first year at Mount Holyoke College and a prospective
Linguistics and International Relations double major. I am currently the Web Manager of the
Model UN team. When I’m not MUNning, I can be found at ungodly hours in the library, or
wolfing down food at the dining hall language tables. I’ve lived most of my life in Vermont,
although I did spend an exchange year in Germany, eating Döner and being confused by the
public transport system. ​As a little kid I was obsessed with D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, and
remember reading it over and over again. The Greek Gods are dramatic, sassy, and get
themselves into a lot of mischief, and I​ can’t think of a more colorful group of characters for
delegates to embody.​ Greek mythology has so many fantastic storylines to offer, from the Titans
to Persephone to the Trojan War to Pandora’s Box. G
​ ods, mortals, demigods, and other
immortal beings of this committee should feel inspired by, but not bound to, the standard
storylines of classical Greek mythology. As the characters represented are pulled from an array
of different myths that don’t necessarily overlap or even coincide, committee members are free
to draw on the entirety of Greek mythology, and involve themselves in storylines they are not
traditionally a part of, so long as they are acting in character.
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Table of Contents
Background...
...4
Current Situation...
...5
Committee Members and Portfolio Powers...
...8
Questions to Consider...
...13
Recommended Readings…
...14
Bibliography...
...14
5
Background on The Trojan War
It started when the gods gathered together to celebrate the marriage of King Peleus and
Thetis, a nymph. Zeus had wanted everything to be perfect for Thetis’ wedding, so
when Eris, the Goddess of Discord, showed up at the door, he turned her away, rather
than invite in the living embodiment of chaos and strife. She was furious. In revenge,
Eris threw a golden apple into the party with the inscription, “to the fairest,” knowing that
the gods were very vain and prone to bickering. To no surprise, three goddesses, Hera,
Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed the apple, and it was thrown out of Mount
Olympus. The apple landed next to poor Paris, a young prince dozing under a tree on
the plains of Troy. He was therefore asked to judge which of the goddesses was most
deserving of the apple. As the beauty of three goddesses is so great that Paris could
not decide, the goddesses
resorted to bribery. Aphrodite
offered Paris the most appealing
reward; the hand of the most
beautiful mortal woman in the
world, who happened to be
Helen, wife of Menelaus of
Sparta.
Paris voyaged to Sparta under
the guise of a “diplomatic
emissary”. True to her word,
Aphrodite helped Paris elope with
the besotted Helen, who had
been conveniently struck by an arrow of Eros upon meeting him. When King Menelaus
came home to find his wife abducted, he called upon those under oath to protect him,
and his wife, to set sail for Troy and retrieve her by means of war if necessary. He
recruited great warriors like his brother Agamemnon, and Achilles, Odysseus, and Ajax
to join the Achaean army. Their long voyage to Troy was fraught with difficulties and
sacrifice, but they eventually reached the great Trojan city and laid siege to it for nine
years.
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Current Situation
War Wages On...
The Trojan War has been underway for a decade. After ten hard years of camping
before the impenetrable walls of Troy, the troops are losing their resolve and loyalty to
their commander, Agamemnon. They recently mutinied and Achilles only just managed
to convince them to stay. The Greek leadership faces problems as well, with personal
quarrels often breaking out and threatening the force’s unity.
Meanwhile, the golden apple is in Aphrodite’s possession in wake of the Judgement of
Paris. However, Eris still feels spurned by her lack of invitation to the wedding Peleus
and Thetis, and may be planning further mischief. Although not as crucial a stake in the
war as the mortals, the gods nevertheless have an interest in the outcome of the war.
The victories of their favored heroes or sides is a matter of personal pride and
demonstrative of their power and influence over the mortal world, and by extension,
Mount Olympus. A peaceful resolution to the war seems unlikely given the pride and
warlike nature of the two sides, and the tempers and stubbornness of their leaders, yet
the opposing forces are at a standstill.
Of Immortals and Men...
Meanwhile, up on Mount Olympus, there is burgeoning tension between the gods as
they argue over the extent to which gods out to meddle in human affairs. The debate
has been spearheaded by Hera, under the pretense of a sudden interest and sympathy
for mortals and lesser gods, but clearly a result of her fury over Zeus’ latest affair, with
the mortal Alcmene. Still, other gods have been emboldened to declare their own
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long-held misgivings about the reckless abandon with which gods have altered human
history, and question the very existence of demigods, the number of which has been
gradually increasing over time. The proliferation of demigods, and relationships between
the heavens and the earth, upsets the careful balance between the realms of the world,
especially that of Olympus and the mortal world. After all, the Trojan War itself would
have never come about if not for the marriage of Peleus, a mortal king, to Thetis, an
immortal nymph. Additionally, lesser gods are jealous and threatened by the strength
and fame of great half-mortal heroes, such as Heracles, and mortals have recently been
choosing to worship these half-gods over the immortals themselves. Those directly
involved in the Trojan war are well aware of the fact that the Achaean army’s
possession of the demigod Achilles gives the Achaeans considerable and arguably
unfair advantage.
All gods believe to some extent or another that human affairs be left to The Fates, but
Mount Olympus currently has no uniform set of policies concerning this. Even if the
gods could agree on a code of conduct, the consequences of breaking any such code
remain unclear. A oath on the powerful river Styx is binding so far as breaking one can
incur severe punishments. The deep abyss of Tartarus, as far below Hades as the
Underworld is below earth, is an effective dungeon for the most egregious crimes.
However, there has been considerable complaint, particularly from the followers of
Gaia, that the pits of Tartarus have been used mainly for the disposal of Zeus’ political
opponents and members of the previous regime, rather than as an instrument of justice.
Bringing the Fire...
The imbalance between heavenly
and mortal realms is no recent
development, and has existed ever
since Prometheus stole fire from
Mount Olympus. Prometheus took
pity on the humans and their cold,
dark living conditions and so brought
concealed the fire and brought it to
the humans, also bestowing upon
them the skill of metalwork. Zeus
was furious when he discovered this,
and as punishment chained Prometheus to a rock to have his liver eaten out by an
eagle. As an immortal being, his liver grew back anew, and so the eagle would return
every day, and Prometheus was forced to relive the agony over and over again. Zeus
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devised a plan to get back at Prometheus and punish the humans. He sent a woman,
made of clay, to Prometheus’ less
than intelligent brother, Epimetheus.
The woman’s name was Pandora,
and although Epimetheus had been
warned by Prometheus never to
accept gifts from Zeus, he was unable
to resist her breathtaking beauty.
Little did he know that Pandora had
also been given a gift, a large jar that
she had been commanded never to
open, but never told what was inside.
Pandora had been fashioned with as
much curiosity as she had beauty,
and soon enough she couldn’t help but open the jar, just for a peek. Out spilled Envy,
Sickness, Hate, Disease, and a host of other evils. Seeing these spill out, Pandora
slammed the lid down shut again - just in time to trap Hope inside. But the damage was
done, and humanity has been plagued by these ills ever since.
As for Prometheus, for some time now he has been on the Olympian equivalent of
probation, not currently suffering his liver-bitten sentence and even allowed to weigh in
on Mount Olympus, but not trusted by the majority of Olympians.
The underlying question of mortal power remains. Some say Zeus’ punishment for the
humans was too harsh, and is an example of immortal meddling in the most egregious
sense. Alongside that debate of divine interference is mounting support for the view that
fire, and by extension the technologies that came with it, should be taken back from the
lowly humans altogether. Initially perceived as an extremist idea, enough Olympians
and other influential beings have now radicalized that it seems a real possibility humans
may be forced to return to their dark caves and uncooked food. The mortals themselves
are opposed to this, and many also support the existence of demigods, who defeat
ferocious monsters, inspire epic poems, and serve as role models.
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Committee Members and Portfolio Powers
Achilles, Demigod
Achilles is the son of the nymph Thetis and King Peleus of the Myrmidons. Although he
was already the son of a nymph, Thetis sought to make her son immortal by dipping him
into the Styx River when he was a baby. However, she still had to hold onto his heels,
therefore making this part of his body vulnerable. Initially, Achilles had tried to avoid
going to war by dressing up as a woman, due to a prophecy that promised him either a
long and ordinary life, or a short-lived one ending in glory on the battlefield. Achilles is
the best warrior in the Greek army, but also prone to pride and recklessness.
Portfolio Powers: His tendon weakness aside, Achilles is virtually indestructible and a
fearsome fighter.
Agamemnon, Mortal
Agamemnon is the king of Mycenae and the commander of the Greek army in the
Trojan War. He is fiercely committed to the Greek cause, out of duty, but also loyalty to
his brother, who is King Menelaus, husband to Helen. To allow the ships to set sail for
Troy, Agamemnon even sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, to appease the goddess,
Artemis. Sacrifice is necessary when one has a knack for angering gods. He is a
magnificent warrior, but quarrelsome and proud.
Portfolio Power: Agamemnon has command over all the Achaean forces and their best
warriors, and is strong and skilled in warfare.
Aphrodite, Olympian
Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She arose, in full adult form, from
the foam of the ocean. Her hand was given to Hephaestus, the god of metalwork and
crafts, by either Zeus or Hera, according to different legends. She is the lucky recipient
of the Golden Apple, not by virtue of her immense beauty, but rather her promise to give
Paris the most beautiful mortal woman in the world, Helen, then the wife of Menelaus.
As result she is partially responsible for the Trojan War, but also lends her help to the
Trojans in battle.
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Portfolio Powers: Her immense beauty gives her considerable influence over men and
gods alike, and she can cause others to fall in and out of love as she pleases.
Apollo, Olympian
Apollo is a complex deity, and the god of the sun, music, healing, and the arts. He is the
son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo is quick to fury and
retribution if one of his altars or worshippers are disturbed. Along with the power of
healing comes the power to withhold healing, and Apollo has not been very sympathetic
towards the Greeks lately.
Portfolio Powers: Apart from wielding the usual godly powers, he has a say over the
movements of the sun, and various. Apollo is also the god of prophecy, and sometimes
gleans a glimpse into the future.
Athena, Olympian
Athena is the goddess of war, wisdom, and craft. She is Zeus’ favorite daughter, and
was born from his head, in full armor and adulthood. She is the patron of heroism and
justice, and often lends her wisdom to brave or clever heroes, such as Jason and
Heracles. Unlike most of the other gods, Athena does not engage in relationships with
with other divinities or with mortals. She is proud and resourceful goddess, doling out
revenge for impiety but otherwise not engaging in conflicts without purpose, unlike her
impulsive brother, Ares, the god of war.
Portfolio Powers: Athena is skilled in the art of war and the wisest and most levelheaded
of the gods. She is also a great warrior,, and would likely best anyone in hand-to-hand
combat.
Gaia, Primordial Deity
Gaia is the personification of Earth, mother of all living things. She is an immense and
ancient being, and an important figure in mythical history since its very beginnings. She
is the direct parent of Prometheus and the other Titans, and therefore grandmother to
nearly all of the Olympians. Gaia loves all of her children, and does not wish to see any
treated unjustly. She played a vital role in helping her son, the Titan Kronos, defeat his
father, Uranus, and then in turn helping Zeus overthrow his father, Kronos. She has
never managed to free her children, the Titans, from the agony of Tartarus.
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Portfolio Powers: Ever the defender of the underdog, Gaia is masterful in helping others
overthrow those more powerful, and bringing about the downfall of those abusing their
powers. As the life force of the earth, she has considerable power over natural
elements.
Hector, Mortal
Hector is a prince of Troy, son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, brother to Paris. He is
the commander of the Trojan army and also their greatest warrior. He is a large part of
the reason that the Greek forces have been unable to take Troy for nine years. His
strong character and great courage inspire many gods to favor him. A mortal himself,
great as he is, when pitted against the likes of a demigod, will need all the help he can
get.
Portfolio Powers: As prince of Troy, Hector has considerable authority over the city and
commands the Trojan army. He can also make use of his considerable strength and
skill as a warrior, and strategic knowledge of the the opposing Achaean camps.
Hades, Olympian
Hades is the ruler of the Underworld, and god of the dead. He is the son of Kronos and
Rhea, and earned himself control of this realm when he fought to defeat the Titans
alongside his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon. He is married to Persephone, the daughter
of Demeter, whom he famously abducted. The Underworld is not as cheerful or perhaps
as powerful a place as the Heavens, ruled by Zeus, and Hades has felt considerable
jealousy over this in the past. He is a regal god, and feared, so much so that many will
not even utter his name. In times of war, the number of souls traveling down the Styx to
his realm is greatly increased, and the proper rites and burials of the dead must be
carefully observed.
Portfolio Powers: He rules the Underworld. If that isn’t enough already, he also owns a
giant, terrifying, three-headed dog named Cerberus, and several powerful possessions.
Hera, Olympian
Queen of the gods and goddesses, and the wife of Zeus, Hera is the goddess of
marriage and family. She is the daughter of Kronos and Rhea, and the mother of four
children, including Ares, the god of war, and Hephaestus, the god of metalwork and
crafts. Hera has come to symbolize fidelity and monogamy, and is notorious for taking
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revenge on her husband’s various lovers, while remaining steadfastly faithful herself.
This, along with the fact that many of the demigods romping around the earth are the
result of Zeus’ affairs, set her firmly against relationships between gods and mortals.
True to her nature, Hera never forgives the prince Paris for choosing Aphrodite over
her, and therefore strongly supports the downfall of Troy.
Portfolio Powers: As queen of the gods, and therefore has considerable influence and
power over Mount Olympus. She is shrewd, has many connections, and can employ a
host other beings to help her achieve her ends.
Odysseus, Greek Mortal
Odysseus is the wily king of Ithaca, and a trusted advisor in the Trojan War, known for
his cunning and diplomacy. It was at his suggestion that all the original suitors of Helen
decided to make an oath to protect whoever her husband would eventually be. He has
proved himself indispensable to the Achaeans, such as catching Achilles in his ploy to
avoid joining the army. Odysseus himself was reluctant at first, as Odysseus is aware of
a prophecy warning that if he embarks with Menelaus, it will take him a long, long time
to return home.
Portfolio Powers: Odysseus serves as a mediator and strategist, having remarkable skill
in solving disputes and finding solutions. Particular gods, including Athena, tend to favor
him for his intelligence.
Paris, Trojan Mortal
Paris, the Trojan prince, song of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, precipitates the whole
War as result of his elopement with Queen Helen. Paris’ life has been equal parts
foreboding and auspicious. Due to a prophecy foretelling that Paris would be the
downfall of Troy, his father orchestrated several attempts on young Paris’ life, none of
which were successful. Although not much of a warrior, Paris is of considerable beauty
and intelligence. At the Judgement of Paris, he is most tempted by Aphrodite’s offer; the
prospect of marriage to the most beautiful woman in the world. His eventual verdict for
Aphrodite wins him her loyal support, both directly after the judgement and throughout
the war.
Portfolio Powers: As prince of Troy, Paris has considerable authority over the city and
the commanders of the Trojan army. He can call on the aid of Aphrodite, and use his
charm and good looks to win over others and gain support.
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Poseidon, Olympian
Poseidon rules one the three major domains of the universe; the Sea. He is the brother
of Zeus and Hades, and was an important figure in the victory of the Olympians over the
Titans. He is the son of Kronos and Rhea. He has fathered many, including Theseus
and Polyphemus, the Cyclops. As extensive as his power and influence are, Poseidon,
like Hades, has at times shown discontent with his lot, and envious of Zeus. Poseidon
himself built the huge, impressive walls of Troy, as punishment for trying once to usurp
Zeus in a plot alongside Hera and Athena. During the Trojan War, Poseidon primarily
helped the Achaeans, but his attitudes, like the waters of his oceans and rivers, are
always shifting, and he might come to the aid of, or plot against, heroes of both sides.
Portfolio Powers: Also known as “Earthshaker”, Poseidon can summon earthquakes,
floods, and powerful storms. He also has quite a way with horses, and of course
influence over his many children.
Prometheus, Titan
Although he sided with Zeus in the Titanomachy, Prometheus’ foremost sympathies lie
with mankind, rather than with the Olympians. Afterall, Prometheus himself is often
credited with having created man, and he is generally in favor and in defense of human
advancement. Prometheus has a mischievous streak, as evident from the pranks he
sometimes plays on the Olympians, and he likes to ally with the winning side. And
although he avoided the fates of his brothers and sisters, Prometheus has also suffered
at the hands of Zeus. Being chained to rock as one’s liver is eaten out every day by an
eagle is probably not a very forgettable experience.
Portfolio Powers: As a Titan, Prometheus wields considerable power, and can call upon
more primordial forces to help him.
Zeus, Olympian
Zeus is the King of the Gods, Wielder of Lightning Bolts, and son of Kronos and Rhea.
He is prone to falling in love with various mortals, to Hera’s chagrin, and he led the
revolt against the Titans. He drew straws with his two brothers, and won dominion over
the heavens. Half-mortal children of Zeus go on to lead heroic and important lives, yet
Zeus himself is uncomfortable with the proliferation of demigods. He was however
furious when he discovered that Prometheus had stolen fire from his domain and
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brought it down to the humans. Zeus is well-acquainted too with Prometheus’ trickery,
and their relationship is further strained by it. Zeus himself also was responsible for
setting up Peleus, who had lived an unusually unlucky life up until then, with Thetis, an
auspicious immortal.
Portfolio Powers: Nearly unparalleled influence over Olympian politics. He can see all of
the mortal world beneath him, and can rain down thunder and lightning upon it.
Questions to Consider
Does Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite—or someone else entirely—deserve the Golden
Apple?
To what extent should the gods meddle in mortal affairs?
How can gods be held accountable for interfering in mortal affairs? When is the use of
oaths appropriate, are what are appropriate consequences of breaking one?
Should gods be allowed to create demigods? What are the consequences of too many
demigods? What should be done with existing demigods?
How similar to the immortals can humans become? How much power should they be
allowed?
Does humanity deserve fire and the other gifts Prometheus gave them? Should it be
taken back from them? Did Prometheus deserve such a harsh punishment?
How should the Trojan war be resolved?
If your committee member is on the Trojan side, how will you ensure the continued
safety of Troy? If your committee member is on the Achaean side, how do you plan to
finally conquer the city?
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Suggested Readings
1. D'Aulaire, Ingri, and Edgar Parin. D'Aulaire. ​D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths.
Doubleday Book for Young Readers: n.p., 1962. Print.
2. Graf, Fritz. ​Greek Mythology: An Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP,
1993. Print.
3. "Greek Mythology" ​Ancient.eu. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, n.d. Web.
06 Jan. 2017.
4. Martin, Richard P. ​Myths of the Ancient Greeks. New York: New American
Library, 2003. Print.
5. Morford, Mark P. O., Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. ​Classical
Mythology. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Print.
6. "Trojan War." ​Trojan War. Greek Mythology, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017.
Bibliography
7. "Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer." ​Greek & Roman Mythology - Homer.
UPenn, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017.
8. Graf, Fritz. ​Greek Mythology: An Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP,
1993. Print.
9. "Greek Mythology" ​Ancient.eu. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, n.d. Web.
06 Jan. 2017.
10. History.com Staff. "Trojan War." ​History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009.
Web. 06 Jan. 2017.
11. Hughes, Colin. "The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis." ​The Wedding of Peleus and
Thetis. Washington State University, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017.
12. "Judgement of Paris." ​Greek Mythology. Theoi.com, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2017.
13. Martin, Richard P. ​Myths of the Ancient Greeks. New York: New American
Library, 2003. Print.
14. Megas, Charilaos. "Prometheus." ​GreekMythology.com. Michael Karas, n.d.
Web. 6 Jan. 2017.
15. Morford, Mark P. O., Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. ​Classical
Mythology. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014. Print.
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