According to the tale, the Greeks pretended to sail away from Troy, leaving behind a massive wooden horse as an offering to the Trojan gods. The Trojans debated whether to bring it inside their walls or destroy it, but some influential figures, including the priest Laocoön, warned them against it. Laocoön famously declared, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts!" However, the Trojan priest Sinon, who had defected from the Greek camp, convinced the Trojans that the horse was a peace offering and a symbol of Greek surrender.
In the end, the Trojans pulled the horse into their city despite Laocoön's warnings. They proceeded to celebrate their apparent victory with feasts and festivities. However, as night fell, Greek soldiers hidden inside the horse emerged, opened the city gates for their comrades, and the Greeks sacked Troy.