Beware of Greeks bearing Gifts

• This everyday expression means that when receiving an act of kindness from someone, be careful that the person concerned may not have your wellbeing in mind.
• It is derived from Greek Mythology and is linked with the story of the Trojan Horse.

Origin of the Phrase

• Virgil wrote the phrase ‘Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes’ in the  Aeneid published in c.20 BCE.
• After the Greeks departed from Troy, they left behind an offering of a Wooden Horse.
• The Trojans were warned by Laocoon, “Beware of Greeks bearing Gifts”.
• The Trojans ignored the warning, and hauled the wooden horse inside the city walls and closed the gates. During the night, the Greek soldiers concealed in the horse, emerged and opened the city gates. The Greek fleet had returned during the night, and the Greek army entered Troy and defeated the Trojans.
• This led to the everyday expression, a Trojan Horse.

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