 |
|
|
who at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis was snubbed. Kingly Zeus forbid her to attend the banquet, where there was fine food and wine that flowed as water. When Eris came to honor the blessed couple, the son of Kronos told her to leave, saying that she was not fit company for either Gods or men. Eris, her face crimson with embarrassment, inscribed on a golden apple, "to the fairest" and cast it into the banquet hall of the joyous Gods. Seeing the apple with its inscription, Hera, of wide-pastured Argos, and Aegis-bearing Athene, and Aphrodite who rose from the foam, all contended for the prize, each one claiming to be fairest among the Gods. Zeus of the wise council was too smart to be lulled into making a decision, so he chose Paris, of the the house of Troy, and made him choose which of the three Goddesses was most derserving of the prize. Hera offered him wealth and Argive cattle, while Athene promised him fame and victory in the field of battle. Paris turned to Aphrodite, and asked what she would give him, and the Lady of Paphos merely took down her mantle and said, "The most beautiful woman in the world." So it was that the apple was awarded to Aphrodite, but alas for him, and for us, the Goddess had not meant to give herself to the mortal Aphrodite had meant Helen, Menalus' wife, who had bragged on account of her beauty, that she was better than the Paphian. So it was that the Greeks made war with high-walled Troy, and many noble souls were cast down into the realm of Hades, and the vengeance of Eris for being snubbed was realized. Forget never, O revered Deity, your humble servant who has sung you this hymn. |
