Paris Chooses Aphrodite

Overview

Paris' choice among the goddesses is an important event before the Trojan War breaks out. Pseudo-Apollodorus says Strife throws down a prize of beauty and Zeus orders Hermes to bring Hera, Athena and Aphrodite to Paris on Ida so that Paris can choose among them. Hera promises rule, Athena victory and Aphrodite Helen; Paris chooses Aphrodite. The Iliad does not stage the full event in its central narrative; the complete version appears mainly in story-compiling works such as Pseudo-Apollodorus, not in the poem's central action. The episode connects divine competition, promised desire and mortal choice to the opening of the war without reducing a ten-year conflict to a beauty contest.

Key facts

Relationships

• Zeussends the choice to Paris

  Zeus orders Hermes to bring the three goddesses before Paris.

• Heraoffers a reward

  Hera offers rule as the reward for Paris choosing her.

• Athenaoffers a reward

  Athena offers victory as the reward for Paris choosing her.

• Aphroditeoffers a reward

  Aphrodite offers Helen as the reward for Paris choosing her.

• Parischooses Aphrodite

  Paris chooses Aphrodite.

Story appearances

• The Trojan WarDivine-mortal hinge in the war’s prehistory

  This episode connects divine rivalry, Paris' choice and Helen's marriage to the opening of the war.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, Epitome, E.3.1–2: causes of the war, Paris' choice among the goddesses and their three offers