The Background of the Story

The goddess Eris (Discord) was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (Achilles' parents), so in revenge she threw a golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" into the banquet hall, knowing it would cause trouble. All the goddesses present claimed it for themselves, but the choice came down to three—Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera. They asked Zeus to make the final decision, but he wisely refused.

Instead, Zeus sent them to Mount Ida, where the handsome youth Paris was tending his father's flocks. Priam had sent the prince away from Troy because of a prophecy that Paris would one day bring doom to the city. Each of the three goddesses offers Paris a bribe If he will name her the fairest: Hera promises to make him lord of Europe and Asia; Athena promises to make him a great military leader...