At the grand wedding of Peleus and Thetis, all the gods and goddesses were invited, except for Eris, the goddess of discord. Offended by this slight, Eris decided to cause trouble.
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Eris: «Θα φέρω χάος σε αυτή την γιορτή!»("I will bring chaos to this celebration!")
She threw a golden apple inscribed with the words "Τῇ καλλίστῃ" ("To the fairest") among the guests. Immediately, three goddesses claimed the apple.
Hera: «Αυτό είναι για μένα. Είμαι η βασίλισσα των θεών.»("This is for me. I am the queen of the gods.")
Athena: «Όχι, είναι δικό μου. Είμαι η θεά της σοφίας και του πολέμου.»("No, it is mine. I am the goddess of wisdom and war.")
Aphrodite: «Πρέπει να είναι δικό μου. Είμαι η θεά της αγάπης και της ομορφιάς.»("It must be mine. I am the goddess of love and beauty.")
Unable to settle the dispute, they turned to Zeus for a decision.
Zeus's Decision
Zeus: «Δεν θα πάρω εγώ αυτή την απόφαση. Ας την πάρει ο Πάρις, ο πρίγκιπας της Τροίας.»("I will not make this decision. Let Paris, the prince of Troy, decide.")
The Judgement of Paris
The three goddesses appeared before Paris, each offering him a tempting bribe.
Hera: «Πάρι, αν μου δώσεις το μήλο, θα σου δώσω δύναμη και βασίλεια.»("Paris, if you give me the apple, I will grant you power and kingdoms.")
Athena: «Πάρι, αν με επιλέξεις, θα σου δώσω σοφία και ανίκητη δύναμη στη μάχη.»("Paris, if you choose me, I will give you wisdom and unbeatable prowess in battle.")
Aphrodite: «Πάρι, αν μου δώσεις το μήλο, θα σου χαρίσω την αγάπη της πιο όμορφης γυναίκας στον κόσμο.»("Paris, if you give me the apple, I will grant you the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.")
Paris, captivated by Aphrodite’s promise, handed her the apple.
Paris: «Το μήλο ανήκει στην Αφροδίτη.»("The apple belongs to Aphrodite.")
The Consequence
Aphrodite fulfilled her promise, leading Paris to Helen of Sparta, the most beautiful woman, who was already married to King Menelaus. Paris abducted Helen, igniting the wrath of the Greek kings and leading to the Trojan War.
The Trojan War
The Trojan War is one of the most important events in Greek mythology, chronicled in various works, most notably in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.
Gathering of the Greek Forces
Menelaus, furious over the abduction of his wife Helen, called upon his brother Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, to lead a Greek expedition to Troy to retrieve her. Agamemnon assembled a vast army of Greek warriors, including many famous heroes:
Achilles: The greatest warrior of the Greeks, known for his strength and combat skills.
Odysseus: The clever and resourceful king of Ithaca.
Ajax: A formidable warrior known for his size and strength.
Nestor: The wise and elderly king of Pylos.
Diomedes: A brave and capable warrior.
The Siege of Troy
The Greeks sailed to Troy and laid siege to the city for ten years. The war was marked by numerous battles, heroic feats, and tragic losses. Key events included:
The Duel between Paris and Menelaus: A single combat that ended inconclusively due to divine intervention.
The Rage of Achilles: After a quarrel with Agamemnon, Achilles withdrew from battle, leading to significant Greek losses.
The Death of Patroclus: Achilles’ close friend, Patroclus, was killed by Hector, the Trojan prince, prompting Achilles to return to battle.
The Death of Hector: Achilles avenged Patroclus by killing Hector in a fierce duel.
The Trojan Horse
The war reached its climax with the cunning strategy of the Trojan Horse. Odysseus devised a plan to build a large wooden horse and hide a select group of Greek soldiers inside. The Greeks pretended to retreat, leaving the horse as an offering to the gods.
Sinon (a Greek spy): «Οι Έλληνες έφυγαν. Το άλογο είναι μια προσφορά στους θεούς για να εξευμενίσουν την οργή τους.»("The Greeks have left. The horse is an offering to the gods to appease their anger.")
The Trojans, believing the war was over, brought the horse into their city. That night, the Greek soldiers emerged from the horse, opened the gates for the returning Greek army, and sacked the city of Troy.
The Fall of Troy
The Greeks destroyed Troy, ending the war. Many Trojans were killed, and those who survived were taken as slaves. Helen was returned to Menelaus.
Moral Lesson
The story of the "apple of discord" and the Trojan War teaches several moral lessons:
The Dangers of Vanity and Envy: Eris’s actions out of envy led to chaos, showing how destructive these emotions can be.
The Consequences of Poor Judgment: Paris’s choice for immediate gratification resulted in a devastating war that lasted ten years, highlighting the importance of wise decision-making.
The Impact of Personal Actions on the Greater Community: Individual actions can have widespread consequences, reminding us of our interconnectedness.
The Folly of Discord and Strife: Promoting harmony and resolving conflicts peacefully is better than inciting division.
In essence, the tale warns against the perils of envy, vanity, and poor judgment, while advocating for thoughtful decisions and harmonious interactions.
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