In the high peaks of Mount Pelion, a grand wedding was taking place. It was the marriage of the sea-nymph Thetis and the mortal King Peleus (future parents of Achilles). Every god and goddess from Mount Olympus was invited. It was a day of pure joy and celebration in Greek mythology stories.
Only one immortal was left off the guest list: Eris, the Goddess of Discord and Strife. The gods knew that wherever Eris went, arguments and fighting followed. Angry at being excluded, Eris flew over the wedding banquet and dropped a single object onto the table.
It was a gleaming Golden Apple. On its side, Eris had carved one simple phrase: 'Kallisti' (For the Fairest). The music stopped. The laughter died. Every goddess at the table looked at the apple, and then at each other. Who was the 'fairest' (most beautiful)?
Three powerful goddesses stood up to claim the prize. Hera (Queen of Gods), Athena (Goddess of Wisdom/War), and Aphrodite (Goddess of Love). They began to argue instantly. The joy of the wedding turned into a heated debate. This was exactly what Eris wanted.
The goddesses turned to Zeus to decide. 'Husband and father,' they asked, 'who is the most beautiful?' Zeus was the King of Gods, but he wasn't stupid. He knew if he chose one, the other two would hate him forever. He refused to make the Judgement of Paris.
Zeus pointed down to the mortal world, to Mount Ida near the city of Troy. 'There is a young shepherd named Paris,' Zeus said. 'He is actually a prince of Troy raised in secret. He is known for his honesty (and his eye for beauty). Let him decide.'
Paris was minding his sheep when suddenly, three blinding lights appeared. Hermes, the messenger god, presented the three goddesses. Paris was terrified, but Hermes explained the task: 'Here is the Golden Apple of Discord. Give it to the one you think is the fairest.'
The goddesses didn't play fair. They immediately offered bribes to the young prince. Hera stepped forward first. 'Choose me,' she promised, 'and I will make you the King of all Europe and Asia. You will have ultimate power and wealth.'
Athena stepped forward next. She shone with intelligence. 'Choose me,' she said, 'and I will give you wisdom and skill in battle. You will be the greatest warrior who ever lived, and you will never lose a war.'
Finally, Aphrodite smiled. She loosened her hair and whispered, 'I don't offer politics or war. Choose me, and I will give you the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.' Paris, being young and romantic, didn't hesitate.
Paris handed the Golden Apple to Aphrodite. Hera and Athena flew away in a rage, swearing revenge on Paris and his city, Troy. This moment sealed the fate of thousands. The story of the Trojan War had officially begun.
The 'most beautiful woman' Aphrodite promised was Helen. There was just one problem: Helen was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta. Paris, guided by Aphrodite, traveled across the sea to Sparta as a guest.
With Aphrodite's magic, Helen fell in love with Paris. Under the cover of night, they ran away together (or he kidnapped her, depending on the version) and sailed back to Troy. They took with them much of the King's treasure.
When King Menelaus found his wife gone, he was furious. He called upon his brother Agamemnon and all the kings of Greece. Years before, they had sworn an oath to defend Helen's husband. Now, they had to honor it. They launched 1,000 ships to attack Troy.
The Greek army arrived on the beaches of Troy. Because of one apple and one choice, a war began that would last for ten long years. It would only end with a wooden trick. The Golden Apple was the seed; the Trojan Horse would be the harvest.
