TROJAN WAR
WHO REALLY
BEGAN THE
A
A s we know it, the Trojan War is easily regarded as one of the most significant events in the history of the world. It caused the collapse of a major city, yet the dawn of an even broader one—and what would later become the largest empire of the time.
But the question still truly remains: who sparked the controversy of the Trojan War? The first person that most likely comes to mind is, of course, Paris; Paris famously abducted Helen of Troy, the Greek princess and wife of King Menelaus, thus beginning the official conflict of the Trojan War. However, we sometimes neglect to consider the motif behind the Abduction of Helen.
Paris, who at the time was only a shepherd on Mount Ida, wouldn't have had any interest in Helen if it weren’t for the Judgement of Paris. Furthermore, there would be no need for the Judgement of Paris if it weren’t for the fruit that started it all- the Apple of Discord.
if it weren’t for the Judgement of Paris. Furthermore, there would be no need for the Judgement of Paris if it weren’t for the fruit that started it all: the Apple of Discord.
A celebration was being held on Mount Olympus to honor the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, and everyone was invited except for Eris, the goddess of Discord and Strife (we can’t blame them, either... who would invite the personification of strife to their wedding?). Eris wouldn’t let it pass, though; she saw it fitting to throw a golden apple into the party, and on it inscribed, ‘For the fairest.’
You might know how the rest of it goes: Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena all claimed the apple, and Paris was chosen to make the Judgement of who was fairest.
Paris was most tempted by Aphrodite, who offered him the most beautiful woman in the world- Helen (she didn’t mention, however, that Helen was married to Menelaus, thus the warfare).
Paris was most tempted by Aphrodite, who offered him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen (she didn’t mention, however, that Helen was married to Menelaus, thus the warfare).
Actually, a lesser known story about how the warfare began centers around the courtship of Helen. Many suitors were gathered there, Odysseus being one of them. Helen’s dad, Tyndareus, was stressed about marrying his daughter and Odysseus promised to help by making all the suitors vow to always defend whoever Helen chose to marry against anyone who were to fight with him. This is known as the Oath of Tyndareus, as is also one of the key factors for why the whole army of Greece was willing to go to war for a pretty lady.
6 TORCH: U.S. MIDDLE SCHOOL EDITION