Helen of Troy

The Judgment of Paris1
There was a great event among the Olympians: the marriage of the goddess Thetis to the mortal
Peleus. All the gods were invited to attend except for Eris, whose name means “discord.” No
couple wished to invite discord into their wedding. Furious at her exclusion, Eris threw among
the assembled gods a golden apple bearing the inscription "To the most beautiful". The result
is easily foreseen.
The most furious jealousy at once arose among the goddesses attending the wedding. It was
conceded that three, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodité, were justly entitled by their rank and charms
to be considered rivals possessing especial right to claim the apple. Unable to reach a decision
themselves, they appealed to the throne of Zeus to decide once and for all, but the crafty god
declined to decide a question fraught with such consequences not only to the universe but also
to his own peace. If he awarded the prize to Hera, his spouse, he would, of course, be accused
of partiality and cause a conflict in Olympus itself, while if he decided it against her he would
disturb his own domestic harmony. But Zeus recommended the fair rivals to refer the decision
of the question to Paris, the young shepherd of Mount Ida. Whatever his judgment, Zeus
promised that it should be accepted as final.
The three goddesses proceeded to Mount Ida at once. It was hardly fair to lay such a burden of
responsibility on the shoulders of a young, inexperienced shepherd. The rival deities were not
satisfied to leave the decision to his unbiased judgment, but each endeavoured to win the prize
by promising to reward him richly. But Paris was, perhaps, not more harshly dealt with than
all mortals who are forced to choose and are held responsible for their choice. Hera offered
him the greatest of regal power; Athena promised him wisdom and martial success. But
Aphrodité guaranteed him the world's most beautiful woman: "Helen, now, is a Spartan, and
such a pretty girl - quite as pretty as I am - and so susceptible!"
Aphrodité then tells Paris to set out for Greece: "... and when you get to Sparta Helen will see
you; and for the rest, her falling in love, and going back with you - that will be my affair....
Love, beauty, wedlock; all these you may purchase at the price of yonder apple."
Paris: "Take the apple: it is yours."
1
Excerpts from: Troy: Its Legend, History and Literature, S G W Benjamin; Helen of Troy, Margaret R Scherer
He gave the golden apple of Discord to the goddess of Love. In an instant his own destiny and
that of the world was decided.
It was later discovered that Paris was not a mere shepherd: he was the Prince of Troy.
Helen of Troy2
Tyndarus was king of Sparta. To him were born four children, Castor and Pollux, and their
sisters, Helen and Clytemnæstra. Helen was destined to be the most beautiful woman in the
world. Her reputation was so great that even as a young child, the hero Theseus desired her
for his bride. He kidnapped her and hid her in his city of Athens, but when he was away,
Helen’s brothers rescued her and brought her home.
As an adult, Helen was courted by many suitors; so her father invited them all to his palace,
and entertained them, and found out what they would give. Tyndarus first made all the princes
take an oath that they would stand by the prince whom he chose, and would fight for him in all
his quarrels. Then he named for her husband Menelaus, King of Lacedaemon. Though
Menelaus was valiant and wealthy, Helen’s love for him would prove tenuous.
The fame of beautiful Helen reached Troy, and Paris must needs go to see Helen for himself.
Perhaps he meant to try to win her for his wife, before her marriage. But sailing was little
understood in these times, and the water was wide, and men were often driven for years out of
their course. Paris came much too late to have a chance of marrying Helen; however, he was
determined to see her, and he made his way to her palace.
The servants came out of the hall when they heard the sound of wheels and horses' feet, and
some of them took the horses to the stables, and tilted the chariots against the gateway, while
others led Paris into the hall, which shone like the sun with gold and silver. Then Paris and his
companions were led to the baths, where they were bathed, and clad in new clothes, mantles of
white, and robes of purple, and next they were brought before King Menelaus, and he
welcomed them kindly, and meat was set before them, and wine in cups of gold.
2
Excerpt from Tales of Troy and Greece, Andrew Lang and H J Ford
While they were talking, Helen came forth from her fragrant chamber, like a goddess, her
maidens following her, and carrying for her an ivory distaff with violet-coloured wool, which
she spun as she sat, and heard Paris tell how far he had travelled to see her who was so famous
for her beauty even in countries far away. Then Paris knew that he had never seen, and never
could see, a lady so lovely and gracious as Helen as she sat and span, while the red drops fell
and vanished from the rubies she wore; and Helen knew that among all the princes in the world
there was none so beautiful as Paris. Defying the ancient laws of hospitality, Paris seduced
Helen and fled with her in his ship.
The news of the dishonour done to Menelaus and to all the princes of Greece ran through the
country like fire through a forest. All the princes were reminded of their oath. East and west
and south and north went the news; to kings in their castles on the hills, and beside the rivers
and on cliffs above the sea. With that, began the decade-long war between Sparta and Troy.

Helen of Troy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Helen of Troy

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Helen of Troy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Judgment of Paris1

You might also like