Three Goddesses

All of the Olympian gods - save for Eris, the queen of discord - were invited to Peleus and Thetis' wedding. Eris became enraged and resolved to teach the gathering Olympians a lesson. She tossed a golden apple among them, etched with the words 'For the most lovely.'

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Three goddesses - Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Hera, the goddess of the home, and Aphrodite, the female god of beauty – each seized the apple and battled over it. None of the gods, even Zeus, dared to decide which of the three women was the most attractive and so deserving of the apple. Finally, the deities were instructed to find Paris, the prince of Troy, who was renowned for his appreciation of feminine beauty and his ability to provide impartial judgments.

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The three goddesses approached Paris and attempted to wow him with their charms. When he was unable to decide, each attempted to bribe him in private. Hera pledged to make him lord of the world's largest kingdom. Athena vowed to make Paris the world's most respected warrior. Aphrodite promised him Helen, the world's most beautiful lady, as a bride. Aphrodite's offer was accepted by Paris. He handed her the fruit, earning him and the country of Troy the eternal hate of Hera and Athena. Thus, the Trojan War is precipitated not by human stupidity but by the gods' pettiness.

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Origin: Mythology of Greece

Other name of the tale: Judgment of Paris