Apple of Discord, in Greek mythology, was a gift from Eris, goddess of chaos and strife. When Peleus, the king of Phthia in Thessalus, married Thetis, a sea goddess, only Eris, among all the gods and goddesses, was not invited to the wedding feast. Eris was offended and tried to stir up trouble among the guests at the feast. She sent a golden apple inscribed “To the fairest.” Three goddesses—Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite—each claimed the apple, and a quarrel began.
Paris, the son of Priam, king of Troy, was called upon by Zeus, ruler of the gods, to judge the dispute. Hera tried to tempt Paris with kingly power, and Athena offered him military strength. Aphrodite promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, and so he chose her to receive the apple over the other goddesses. Hera and Athena hated him and Troy after that. Their vengeance started a string of events that led to the Trojan War and the destruction of Troy. In the key event that led to the Trojan War, Paris seduced Helen, the beautiful wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, and took her off to Troy. His refusal to return her prompted the war.
