The Golden Apple and the Trojan War

Eris, goddess of discord, went to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, even though she wasn’t invited. She threw a golden apple, fruit of temptation, on the banquet table. The apple was supposed to go to the fairest one.

            Hera, the goddess of marriage, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and goddess of love, Aphrodite claimed the apple. Zeus had a hard time deciding, so he left the judgment to the Trojan Prince Paris.

            Hera and Athena attempted to bribe Paris with glory and power. Aphrodite seduced him with love. She offered him the most beautiful mortal female in the world, Helen of Sparta.

 Paris decided that he would go with Aphrodite’s offer of Helen. Helen was then taken from Sparta to Troy. This started the ten-year Trojan War.