Laocoon was a priest of Apollo at Troy and endeavored unsuccessfully to
dissuade the Trojans from admitting into their gates the wooden horse
which the Greeks gave out was intended as a propitiatory offering to
Minerva, but in fact was filled with Achæan chiefs who, by means of
this strategem, obtained entrance into the doomed city. Sinon, who had
been left behind when the Greeks pretended to sail away, persuaded the
Trojans that the horse would prove a blessing and they drew it inside
the gates.
“Oh, the enchanting words of that base slave,
Made them to think Epeu’s pine-tree horse
A sacrifice to appease Minerva’s wrath.”
--_Marlowe._
Laocoon also struck his spear into the side of the monster. His words
and acts so offended Minerva that she sent two serpents out of the
sea to destroy him and his sons. They were speedily enveloped in the
creatures’ slimy folds and died in great agony.