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What is the Judgment of Paris?

 The Trojan War was triggered by a singular event, that of the Judgment of Paris. Let us begin by introducing our cast, using Grimal’s Dictionary of Classical Mythology as the main source:


Thetis:

Thetis is one of the Nereids, meaning she is an immortal divinity of the sea. She was pursued romantically by Jupiter and Neptune, until the Oracle of Themis said that the son born to Thetis would be more powerful than his father. Upon hearing this, the gods agreed she should only be allowed to marry a mortal. It was decided she should marry Peleus. She wasn’t thrilled by this plan, and, being a divinity of the sea, she was able to shapeshift. She turned herself into many things to try to hide, but eventually she was subdued and married Peleus. She wanted their son Achilles to have immortality, and her attempts to make him immortal caused the breakdown of their marriage. However, she continued to do all she could to aid Achilles throughout his life (Grimal, 453).

Peleus

Peleus is a Greek mortal who is selected by the gods to marry Thetis. Many divinities attended the wedding. Following the wedding, Peleus and Thetis had many children, but all were killed in the process of Thetis attempting to turn them immortal. Peleus was able to save Achilles (Grimal, 351-2).

Eris:

Eris is the personification of Strife. She is a daughter of the Night, and exists to inspire competition. She arrives during the wedding of Peleus and Thetis and throws down the Golden Apple. (Grimal, 152).

Juno:

Juno is the wife of Jupiter, goddess of childbirth, and protector of women. She is often driven by anger and vengeance, usually due to some act Jupiter had committed (Grimal 192-3, 243).

Minerva:

Minerva is the warrior goddess, and goddess of intelligent activities, patroness of weavers, goddess of reason, and presided over the arts and literature. She was a very powerful goddess and was the patroness of many towns and cities (Grimal, 67-8).

Venus:

Venus is the goddess of love. She is often involved in love affairs and she is extremely beautiful (Grimal 46-7).

Paris:

Paris is the youngest son of Priam and Hecuba, rulers of Troy. There was a prophecy that he would bring about the destruction of Troy, so Hecuba abandoned him on Mount Ida. He was found by shepherds and raised by them. Eventually, he returned to Troy and his identity was revealed (Grimal, 344-6).


The Judgment of Paris occurred thus:


During the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Eris appeared and cast down the Golden Apple, declaring that it is a gift for the fairest goddess. Juno, Minerva, and Venus all believe the apple is meant for them. They argue for a long time, then bring the matter before Jupiter. Jupiter, unwilling to intervene, sends them to Paris to have him judge instead. Each goddess tries to persuade Paris to choose them by offering gifts (aka bribery). Juno offers to make him ruler of all Asia. Minerva offers wisdom and victory in any fight. Venus offers the love of Helen of Sparta. Paris chooses Venus. 

Helen of Sparta is, however, married to Menelaus. Paris succeeds in winning her love and they elope back to Troy. Menelaus is, of course, enraged by this. He had shown Paris hospitality and welcomed Paris into his home as a guest. For Paris to then steal his wife is an unforgivable breach of custom, trust, and honor. Menelaus gathers his forces and his friends and launches an assault on Troy in retribution for Paris’ act. The result is the Trojan War. Juno is enraged and does everything she can to assist the Greeks in defeating the Trojans. The result of the Trojan War is the Fall of Troy. 


The decision of Paris resulted in a great battle spanning many years, followed by the fall of a great city. It is unclear whether or not the Trojan war was in fact a real event, however, the story of Troy is celebrated in many works of literature, including Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid.


References:

Grimal, Pierre. The Dictionary of Classical Mythology. Basil Blackwell Publisher, 1986.

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