In Greek mythology, the story of the golden apple is one of the most famous tales. The apple of discord was a prize in a beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. The goddesses asked Zeus to choose who was the fairest of them all.
Zeus didn’t want to get involved and instead chose Paris, a mortal prince, to judge who deserved the golden apple. Each goddess tried to bribe Paris with different gifts to win his favor.
Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy. Hera promised him power and riches beyond measure. Athena offered him wisdom and victory in battle.
Paris struggled with this decision but ultimately chose Aphrodite as he was smitten with Helen’s beauty. This decision angered both Hera and Athena who felt they were more deserving of the prize.
But why did Paris choose Aphrodite over Athena? According to Greek mythology, there are a few reasons:
Aphrodite’s Bribe Was Hard to Refuse
Aphrodite promised Paris the love of Helen – a woman known for her exceptional beauty – which was an offer that he found hard to refuse. It’s important to remember that Paris was still just a mortal man and his desires and emotions played a significant role in his decision-making process.
Paris Was Already Skilled in Battle
While Athena’s offer included victory in battle, Paris was already known for his skills as a warrior. He didn’t necessarily need her help on this front, making her offer less valuable than it may have been for another mortal.
Athena Wasn’t Always Likable
Athena had a reputation for being cunning and ruthless, which may have made her less appealing than Aphrodite’s promise of love or Hera’s promise of power. Additionally, Athena had recently punished one of Paris’ brothers for his hubris, which may have made Paris wary of angering her further.
In conclusion, Paris gave Athena the golden apple because he believed that Aphrodite’s offer was the most valuable to him. While wisdom and victory in battle were tempting, they weren’t as desirable as the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. It’s important to remember that Paris was a mortal man with desires and emotions just like anyone else, which played a significant role in his ultimate decision.