the judgement of paris

the judgement of paris

Ebeling&King

When Peleus and Thetis were to be wed, the gods held a grand party in their honor.

The most noble and honored gods were in attendence, so not all gods were invited.

Out in the darkness, Eris plotted.

She wrote on the side of a golden apple kallisti, for the most beautiful.

The gods were shocked, none could decide to whom the apple should go.

Hera, wife of Zeus, whose bearing was that of the perfect mother, learned in all things.

or Athena, virgin goddess of wisdom, whose purity and knowledge shone through to all who laid eyes upon her.

or Aphrodite, the goddess who owns all hearts, the spark of passion, whose very being is dedicated to desire.

With no way to resolve the dispute, Hermes was dispatched to find an innocent mortal to bear the responsibility.

In the fields outside Troy, a fair boy sat daydreaming instead of tending his flock.

Recognizing him as royalty, Hermes drew closer.

“Boy, it falls to you to settle a disagreement amongst the Olympians. You must choose from these three which is the most beautiful, and thereby which receives the golden apple.”

Astonished the young boy looked to the three. He absorbed each one in turn.

Hera and her stately pose,

Athena, driven, determined and steadfast,

and Aphrodite, brimming with excitement.

Poor Paris gazed helplessly, powerless to decide.

Hermes prompted, “Perhaps in their natural state, with-out their clothes to hide their form, can you then detect the truth of their beauty”

Taking the trickster’s advice, Paris gazed upon their deific beauty.

Paris remained powerless.

At Herme’s behest, each goddess offered a gift to Paris.

From Hera, “If I am judged most beautiful, then you, young Paris shall receive all of Europe and Asia as your Kingdom.”

Then Athena, “Young Paris, if I am shown to be the most beautiful, all the wisdom of the great heroes and the great rulers will be yours.”

Finally Aphrodite, “Paris declare me the most beautiful goddess, and as a prize you you will receive theadoration of the most beautiful woman in all the world.”

For Paris there was no solution for the dilemma Eris caused, but the God of Thresholds, the Bold Liar, had suggested one of his own.

“Paris,” the god whispered, “rulers are misunderstood and overthrown, and wisdom in its turn is shown as folly. Only by stealing a beauty’s heart can you be sure of your reward.”

With those words from the Shadow Diety, Paris announced his decision.

Aphrodite won the prize. Paris presented the apple to her.

She whispered solemnly, “The most beautiful woman in all the world belongs to you.”

What Paris hadn’t known was that she, who was the most beautiful, was already married to Menelaus, King of the Spartans.