🏛️ THE TROJAN WAR
PAGE 1 OF 5 · THE GOLDEN APPLE AND PARIS
STRIFE
ONE APPLE, THREE GODDESSES
At a wedding where everyone was invited except Eris, goddess of discord, she tossed a golden apple marked for the fairest. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed it. Zeus refused to judge, so the job fell to Paris, a young prince of Troy tending sheep on a hillside. Each goddess whispered a bribe. Paris chose love and handed the apple to Aphrodite. She promised him the most beautiful woman alive, not knowing that choice would drag two kingdoms into a long, smoky war.
⚡ DID YOU KNOW?
The Iliad does not show the wooden horse. That famous trick lives in other ancient tales and later poets, yet everyone still pictures Troy with a giant hollow horse at the gates.
APPLE!
HERA
👑 Hera offered Paris power over kingdoms if he picked her.
🏛️ Queens and cities often heard her voice in stories about loyalty and pride.
🏛️ Queens and cities often heard her voice in stories about loyalty and pride.
ATHENA
🦉 Athena promised wisdom and victory in every battle.
⚔️ Paris heard her offer, then still turned toward Aphrodite's softer promise.
⚔️ Paris heard her offer, then still turned toward Aphrodite's softer promise.