Paris

His Parentage

Paris was the second son of King Priam and Queen Hecabe of Troy. He was the younger sibling of Hector. Prior to his birth, Paris’ mother, Hecabe, had a dream. In her dream she gave birth to a firebrand. Priam’s son, the seer Aesacus, interpreted the dream. He foretold that the child would cause the destruction of Troy. When Paris was born Agelaus, a servant of Priam’s, was told to take the child to Mount Ida and leave him there to die from exposure. Agelaus returned 5 days later to find the child still alive. He took Paris home and raised him in secret.

Paris and Oenone

While he was attending his herds on Mount Ida, Paris fell in love with the Oenone I, a nymph who had the gifts of healing and prophecy. She was the daughter of the river god Cebren. Due to her gift of prophecy, Oenone knew that Paris would leave her one day for another woman and that this love between Paris and the other woman would cause a great war. Paris and Oenone had one child, Corythus.

The Apple of Discord

Peleus and Thetis, Achilles’ parents, were celebrating their wedding on Mount Pelion with all the gods in attendance except one. Eris, the goddess of Discord, had not been invited. Angry because she had not been invited, disrupted the wedding feast when she threw a golden apple into the midst of those assembled, with the inscription “For the Fairest”. The three most powerful goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, each believed that she should receive the apple. Zeus, who wisely chose not to be the judge, sent Hermes to ask Paris if he would be the arbitrator. Paris accepted and a time was chosen for the Paris to meet the three goddesses on Mount Pelion.

The first goddess to approach Paris was Hera, the queen. She promised Paris wealth and power if he awarded her the apple. Athena was next and offered Paris wisdom, glory and victory in all battles if he would present her with the apple. Aphrodite’s offer was the gift of love and the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris accepted Aphrodite’s offer and thus the fate of Troy was sealed. The most beautiful woman was Helen of Sparta, the wife of King Menelaus.

His Identity Revealed

Paris, or Alexander, as he was known at this time, grew up to be a handsome and strong young shepherd. He had raised a prize bull, which no other bull had been able to defeat in contests. King Priam sent several of his servants to Mount Ida to bring back a bull for a festival. Paris’ bull was chosen and Paris followed the men. While at the festival, Paris participated in the games that were going on and was victorious against all who participated including his brothers, Hector and Deiphobus I. They would have killed him if it had not been revealed to Priam that Paris was his son. Priam acknowledged Paris as his son and Paris was received at the palace.

Paris and Helen

Paris sailed to Lacedaemon with his brother Hector, where Helen’s brothers, the Dioscuri, received them. Paris and Hector went on to Sparta where they became guests of King Menelaus. The brothers had been n Sparta for a while when it was necessary for King Menelaus to travel to Crete. While in Menelaus was in Crete, Paris took Helen back to Troy. Menelaus called upon the former suitors of Helen, to accompany him to Troy so that he could bring his wife back to Troy. Thus began the ten-year Trojan War.

Paris’ Death

In the tenth year of the war a single combat fought between Menelaus and Paris was arranged in an attempt to end the war. Paris was almost killed during this combat when Menelaus was able to grasp the crest of Paris’ helmet and began to drag him. Aphrodite saved Paris when the strap on his helmet broke and she shrouded him in a mist to help him escape back within the walls of Troy.

Paris, an excellent archer, killed Achilles with a poisoned arrow pierced Achilles’ heel. Pairs had avenged the death of his brother Hector who had been killed by Achilles. Philoctetes, with the bow of Hercules, shot Paris with a poisoned arrow and injured him. Paris died from this wound because his first wife Oenone failed to heal him.

Works Cited Carlos Parada, Greek Mythology Link, 1993-2005 http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/index.html 14 April 2005 <http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Paris.html>

Joel Skidmore, Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology 1993-2005 http://www.mythweb.com. Mythweb. Published by Fleet Gazelle, April 14 2005 < http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/paris.html>

Steve Eddy and Claire Hamilton, Living Myths Last updated 25 March 05 http://www.livingmyths.com/Greek.htm 14 April 2005 <http://www.livingmyths.com/index.htm>

N.S. Gill, Who’s Who in Greek Legend 1999-2003. About.com?, http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa100599.htm 14 April 2005 <http://ancienthistory.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa100599.htm#paris>