Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its rich history and cultural heritage make it a fascinating place to explore. However, there is a longstanding myth about how Paris got its name.
According to this myth, Paris was named after the Trojan prince Paris who famously eloped with Helen of Troy. But is this really true Let’s take a closer look.
The Myth of Paris and Helen
The story of Paris and Helen is one of the most famous myths in Greek mythology. According to legend, Helen was married to King Menelaus of Sparta when she was kidnapped by Paris, a prince of Troy. This event sparked the Trojan War, which lasted for ten years and ended with the fall of Troy.
But what does this have to do with Paris, France Well, according to some versions of the myth, after Troy fell, Aeneas (another Trojan prince) fled to Italy and founded a new city called Lavinium.
His son Ascanius later founded another city nearby called Alba Longa. One of Ascanius’s descendants was a king named Latinus who welcomed Aeneas’s great-grandson Aeneas Silvius into his court.
Aeneas Silvius eventually became king himself and had a son named Alba who also became king. Alba had two sons: Numitor and Amulius. Numitor was the rightful heir to the throne but Amulius deposed him and took power for himself.
Numitor’s daughter Rhea Silvia (also known as Ilia) was forced to become a Vestal Virgin by Amulius so she would not have any children who could challenge his rule. However, Mars (the god of war) fell in love with her and they had twin boys: Romulus and Remus.
Amulius discovered the twins and threw Rhea Silvia in prison. The twins were saved by a she-wolf who nursed them until they were old enough to be cared for by a shepherd and his wife. When Romulus and Remus grew up, they overthrew Amulius and restored Numitor to the throne.
Romulus then founded a new city on the site where they had been found by the she-wolf. He named it Rome after himself. Meanwhile, Remus was killed in a dispute with his brother over where to build the city walls.
The Legend of Paris
So where does Paris come into all of this Well, some versions of the myth say that Aeneas Silvius also had a daughter named Lavinia who was betrothed to Turnus (a prince of another Italian city). However, before they could be married, Lavinia was abducted by Paris (who was still alive at this point) and taken back to Troy.
Turnus then gathered an army and marched on Troy to rescue Lavinia. In the ensuing battle, both Turnus and Paris were killed. Lavinia returned home and eventually married someone else.
So if this version of the myth is true, then Paris did exist in Italian mythology as well as Greek mythology. But why would a French city be named after him
The History of Paris
In reality, there is no evidence to suggest that Paris was named after the Trojan prince Paris. The city’s name actually comes from its original inhabitants: a tribe of Celtic people called the Parisii who lived in the area around 250 BC.
The Romans later conquered Gaul (the region that includes modern-day France) and established a town called Lutetia on the site where Paris now stands. Over time, Lutetia became known as Parisii or simply Paris.
Conclusion
While it’s always fun to explore myths and legends, it’s important to remember that they are not always based on fact. In the case of Paris, the city’s name has nothing to do with the Trojan prince Paris. Instead, it comes from the Celtic tribe who originally inhabited the area.
So next time you visit Paris, you can appreciate its rich history and cultural heritage without being misled by a myth.