Even if you’re not a big fan of Greek mythology, you’ve probably heard of the Trojan War.
I’m sure you’re at least familiar with the story — the Greeks go to war with the Trojans over the beautiful Helen of Sparta, “snatched” away by Paris of Troy.
Most people are more familiar with the characters of Hector and Achilles, legendary as they are, but I’d like to tell you a story about Paris of Troy.
If you’re not a big fan of Greek mythology, then you probably don’t know the origin stories around the Trojan War.
There are several, but one in particular happens to be the inspiration for three of the greatest works in all of Western Literature. I’m also willing to bet you’ve never heard it before.
It goes something like this.
The Judgment of Paris
The three goddesses — Hera, Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage; Athena, goddess of wisdom and war; Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and romance— were having an argument.
All three had been attending the wedding of Peleus and the Sea-Nymph Thetis when suddenly a golden apple appeared in their midst.
The apple had an inscription, which read “To The Fairest One.” Naturally, the three goddesses descended into a heated argument as to who among them deserved to keep it.
Surely all three had a claim to the apple, but who could be a worthy judge? Zeus, of course, was chosen to pick who would keep the apple.
So the goddesses presented it to the great Thunderer, and they bade him choose the fairest of all the gods.
The King of Olympus was no fool, however. He knew that no matter who he chose, the other two would resent him for it, and undoubtedly exact revenge.
Typical of Zeus, he took the cowardly way out and devised a plan — “I cannot judge between the three of you, but take this apple to Paris of Troy and have him judge. He is the fairest of all men and will surely know best.”
The goddesses found Paris in the woods outside of Troy. They presented him with the apple and said “Give the apple back to the goddess of your choice, and by this means declare who among us is the fairest.”
Before he made his choice, each goddess offered Paris a possible reward.
“Choose me,” said Hera, “and I will make you a great conqueror. Your empire will be the greatest in the world and all nations will descend from you.”
“Choose me,” said Athena “and I will make you the wisest man alive. Your stratagems will know no equal, men will praise your brilliance for ages to come, and you shall be virtuous in all your ways.”
Lastly, Aphrodite, in a gentle voice, said — “Choose me, Prince of Troy, and I will give you the most beautiful woman in the world.”
After what one imagines was very little deliberation, Paris presented the apple to Aphrodite. And so, for better or for worse, the Trojan War began.
The woman in question was of course Helen of Sparta. Aphrodite neglected to mention Helen was already married to Menelaus of Sparta and that by giving the apple to Aphrodite, Paris would ignite the most legendary war of the Mythic Age.
It was in the fine print, I suppose.
The Epic Stories and The Good Life
Why am I sharing this little-known story with you all?
If you can believe it, that story is linked with three of the greatest pieces of Western literature ever produced.
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