A-Z: General definitions: Golden Apples

Definition

Sacred apples growing in a garden beyond the sunset, guarded by the Hesperides and Ladon the snake. Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited to the marriage of Peleus and Thetis. Angered at being slighted, Eris appeared at the wedding-feast and threw into the room a golden apple to be given to 'the fairest'. Three goddesses claimed it - Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. Zeus referred the decision to Paris, a son of the Trojan king Priam. Paris chose Aphrodite, who had bribed him by offering him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Unfortunately that woman was Helen, who was already married to Menelaus, King of Sparta. Paris visited Sparta, abducted Helen and took her back to Troy.

Related Topics

Aphrodite; Helen; Menelaus; Trojan War; Wooden Horse; Paris
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