The Trojan War is one of the most famous wars in history. It is well known for the ten-year
duration, for the heroism of a number of legendary characters, and for the Trojan horse. What
may not be familiar, however, is the story of how the war began.
According to Greek myth, the strife between the Trojans and the Greeks started at the wedding
of Peleus, King of Thessaly, and Thetis, a sea nymph. All of the gods and goddesses had been
invited to the wedding celebration in Troy except Eris, goddesses of discord. She had been
omitted from the guest list because her presence always embroiled mortals and immortals alike
in conflict.
To take revenge on those who had slighted her, Eris decided to cause a skirmish. Into the middle
of the banquet hall, she threw a golden apple marked “for the most beautiful.” All of the
goddesses began to haggle over who should possess it. The gods and goddesses reached a
stalemate when the choice was narrowed to Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Someone was needed
to settle the controversy by picking a winner. The job eventually fell to Paris, son of King Priam
of Troy, who was said to be a good judge of beauty.
Paris did not have an easy job. Each goddess, eager to win the golden apple, tried aggressively to
bribe him.
“I'll grant you vast kingdoms to rule, “ promised Hera. “Vast kingdoms are nothing in
comparison with my gift,” contradicted Athena. “Choose me and I'll see that you win victory and
fame in war.” Aphrodite outdid her adversaries, however. She won the golden apple by offering
Helen, Zeus' daughter and the most beautiful mortal, to Paris. Paris, anxious to claim Helen, set
off for Sparta in Greece.
Although Paris learned that Helen was married, he accepted the hospitality of her husband, King
Menelasu of Sparta, anyway. Therefore, Menelaus was outraged for a number of reasons when
Paris departed, taking Helen and much of the king's wealth back to Troy. Menelaus collected his
loyal forces and set sail for Troy to begin the war to reclaim Helen.
Each goddess tried ___to bribe Paris.