CHAPTER 1 : the Judgement Of Paris

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<elevation> The Judgement of Paris is a story from Greek mythology, which was one of the events that led up to the Trojan War.

It is recounted that Zeus held a banquet in celebration of the marriage of Peleus and Thetis. However, Eris, goddess of discord was not invited, for she would have made the party unpleasant for everyone. Angered by this snub, Eris arrived at the celebration with a golden apple from the Garden of the Hesperides, which she threw into the proceedings, upon which was the inscription καλλίστῃ (kallistēi, "for the fairest one").
The Three Graces, Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1535, From the collection of: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Three goddesses claimed the apple: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. They asked Zeus to judge which of them was fairest.
Myt. Clas. Jupiter. Zeus., From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Eventually he, reluctant to favour any claim himself, declared that Paris, a Trojan mortal, would judge their cases, for he had recently shown his exemplary fairness in a contest in which Ares in bull form had bested Paris's own prize bull, and the shepherd-prince had unhesitatingly awarded the prize to the god.
The Judgement of Paris, van der Werff, Adriaen, 1716, From the collection of: Dulwich Picture Gallery
While Paris inspected them, each attempted with her powers to bribe him.
Myt. Clas. Juno. Hera., From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
Hera offered to make Paris king of Europe and Asia.
Statue of Athena Parthenos, Unknown, Early of 2nd century, From the collection of: Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Athena offered wisdom and skill in war.
The “Heyl Aphrodite,” an exquisite beauty, Unknown, -200/-100, From the collection of: Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Aphrodite, who had the Charites and the Horai to enhance her charms with flowers and song, offered the world's most beautiful woman.
Landscape with the Judgement of Paris, Gillis van Coninxloo, End of the 16th century - early 17th century, From the collection of: The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo
Paris accepted Aphrodite's gift.
Venus with the Apple, Bertel Thorvaldsen, 1813/1816, From the collection of: Thorvaldsens Museum
Paris awarded the apple to Aphrodite.
Helen Brought to Paris, Benjamin West, 1776, From the collection of: Smithsonian American Art Museum
Paris received Helen of Sparta, wife of the Greek king Menelaus.
Myt. Clas. Homer. Troy. Helen & Paris. Menelaos., From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Greeks' expedition to retrieve Helen from Paris in Troy is the mythological basis of the Trojan War.
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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
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