Final answer:
The Palladium was anwood statue of Athena that was believed to protect the city of Troy. Its theft by the Greeks was integral to their victory over Troy, as it was said that as long as the Palladium was in Troy, the city could not fall.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Palladium, or Palladion, was an ancient wood statue of Athena, also known as Athena Polias, believed to protect the city of Troy. According to legend, the Palladium was housed in the Temple of Athena in Troy and was considered so vital to the city's defense that it was said the city could not be taken as long as the Palladium remained within its walls. The involvement of the Palladium in the story of the fall of Troy is significant because during the Trojan War, it is said that the Greeks were able to capture the Palladium, which led to the downfall of Troy.
The location of the statue post-Troy was attributed to various sites, including the temple built from limestone between 570 to 550 BCE, which was a hundred feet long and exhibited other marks of the divine patronage such as an olive tree and a salt-water well. The association of the Palladium with the fall of Troy is deeply intertwined in the Homeric epics and Greek mythology, reflecting the emphasis on divine influence and favor as critical elements in the epic tales of war and heroism.