What Was the Main Problem in the Judgement of Paris?

By Michael Ferguson

The Judgement of Paris is a well-known Greek mythological story that has fascinated people for centuries. As the story goes, three goddesses – Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite – asked a mortal man named Paris to judge which one of them was the most beautiful.

But what was the main problem in this judgement? Let’s dive deeper and explore.

Background

To fully understand the problem in the Judgement of Paris, we need to know some background information about the three goddesses involved. Hera was the queen of the gods and was known for her beauty and power.

Athena was the goddess of wisdom and warfare, often depicted with a helmet and shield. Finally, Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, known for her stunning appearance and charm.

The Contest

The three goddesses appeared before Paris, who was asked to judge which one of them was the most beautiful. Each goddess offered him a bribe: Hera promised him power and wealth; Athena offered him wisdom and skill in battle; Aphrodite promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.

The Problem

Paris ultimately chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess because of her promise to give him Helen – who was already married to King Menelaus- as his wife. This led to a series of events that ultimately led to The Trojan War.

The main problem with Paris’ judgement is that he chose personal gain over his duty as a fair judge. He allowed his own desires to cloud his judgment instead of making an objective decision based on each goddess’s merits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it may seem like a simple story at first glance, there are deeper lessons that we can learn from The Judgement of Paris. It teaches us about fairness, objectivity, and how our own desires can sometimes lead us astray. In the end, it was Paris’ lack of impartiality that caused the problem and ultimately led to tragic consequences.