The Trojan War became the subject of countless works, most famously Homer’s Iliad. It remains a timeless tale of pride, passion, heroism, and the inescapable will of fate.

[00:00.15]At a grand wedding upon Mount Pelion, the gods gathered to celebrate the union of the mortal Peleus and the sea nymph, Thetis.
[00:08.90]All were invited except Eris, goddess of discord.
[00:12.81]Offended, Eris arrived unbidden and cast a golden apple among the revelers.
[00:17.60]Upon its gleaming surface were inscribed the words "To the fairest." Three goddesses: Hera, queen of the gods; Athena, goddess of wisdom and war; and Aphrodite, goddess of love.
[00:31.13]Each claimed the apple as their own.
[00:33.36]Unable to settle the dispute, they turned to Zeus, king of the gods, for judgment.
[00:39.36]Yet even Zeus dared not choose.
[00:41.92]Instead, he sent them to a mortal prince, Paris of Troy, known for his fairness.
[00:48.40]Upon Mount Ida, the goddesses appeared before Paris.
[00:52.47]Each sought to sway him with gifts.
[00:55.22]Hera promised dominion over all lands.
[00:58.22]Athena offered unmatched wisdom and victory in battle.
[01:02.05]Aphrodite whispered of a reward more enticing, the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta.
[01:11.01]Paris, swayed by love, chose Aphrodite.
[01:15.37]Thus, the seeds of war were sown.

At a grand wedding upon Mount Pelion, the gods gathered to celebrate the union of the mortal Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis. All were invited—except Eris, goddess of discord. Offended, Eris arrived unbidden and cast a golden apple among the revelers. Upon its gleaming surface were inscribed the words: to the fairest.

Three goddesses—Hera, queen of the gods; Athena, goddess of wisdom and war; and Aphrodite, goddess of love—each claimed the apple as their own. Unable to settle the dispute, they turned to Zeus, king of the gods, for judgment. Yet even Zeus dared not choose. Instead, he sent them to a mortal prince, Paris of Troy, known for his fairness.

Upon Mount Ida, the goddesses appeared before Paris. Each sought to sway him with gifts. Hera promised dominion over all lands. Athena offered unmatched wisdom and victory in battle. Aphrodite whispered of a reward more enticing: the love of the most beautiful woman in the world—Helen of Sparta.

Paris, swayed by love, chose Aphrodite. Thus, the seeds of war were sown.

The Trojan War

The Apple of Discord