Paris is a famous name in history and mythology, but do you know who he was and how he was related to one of the most powerful figures in Greek mythology? In this article, we will explore the story of Paris, the prince of Troy, and his connection to Zeus, the king of the gods.
Contents
Paris: The Son of Priam and Hecuba
Paris was the child of Priam and Hecuba, king and queen of the fabled Grecian city of Troy in Asia Minor. Just before his birth, a Trojan seer decreed that he would bring ruin to Troy unless he was killed. Priam and Hecuba both could not bring themselves to kill a newborn, so Priam entrusted his herdsman Agelaus with the job
However, Agelaus also could not kill the baby, so he left him exposed on Mount Ida, hoping he would die there. But Paris was nursed by a she-bear and survived. He was later found by shepherds who raised him as their own. He grew up to be a handsome and brave young man, skilled in archery and music. He also married a nymph named Oenone, who had the gift of healing
Paris: The Judge of the Goddesses
One day, Paris was chosen by Zeus to settle a dispute among three goddesses: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. They each wanted to claim a golden apple that was inscribed with the words “To the Fairest”. Zeus did not want to offend any of them, so he asked Paris to decide who deserved the apple
The goddesses each tried to bribe Paris with different gifts. Hera offered him kingly power and wealth; Athena offered him wisdom and military glory; Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris was dazzled by Aphrodite’s promise and gave her the apple, thus angering Hera and Athena
Paris: The Abductor of Helen
The most beautiful woman in the world was Helen, the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta. She was also the daughter of Zeus and Leda, a mortal woman who was seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan. This made Helen a half-sister of Paris, though they did not know it at the time
Aphrodite helped Paris to meet Helen when he visited Sparta as a guest of Menelaus. She made Helen fall in love with Paris and elope with him to Troy. This act sparked the Trojan War, a ten-year conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans that involved many heroes and gods
Paris: The Slayer of Achilles
During the war, Paris played a secondary role compared to his brother Hector, who was the leader of the Trojan army and the main defender of the city. Paris was often criticized for his cowardice and his preference for love over war. He did have a few notable achievements, such as wounding Diomedes, one of the Greek champions, with an arrow
But his most famous deed was killing Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks and the son of Thetis, a sea goddess. Achilles had a vulnerable spot on his heel, which was the only part of his body that was not dipped in the river Styx by his mother to make him invulnerable. Paris shot an arrow at Achilles’ heel with the help of Apollo, who guided his aim. Achilles died from his wound and his body was retrieved by his friend Ajax
Paris: The Victim of Philoctetes
Paris himself met his end shortly after killing Achilles. He was wounded by an arrow shot by Philoctetes, another Greek archer who possessed the bow and arrows of Heracles. Philoctetes had been bitten by a snake on his way to Troy and was abandoned by his comrades on an island. He was later retrieved by Odysseus and Neoptolemus, who needed his weapons to win the war.
Paris’ wound was incurable because it was inflicted by a divine weapon. He asked his wife Oenone to heal him with her powers, but she refused because he had abandoned her for Helen. She later regretted her decision and rushed to his side, but it was too late. She found him dead and killed herself in grief.
Conclusion
Paris was a mythical prince of Troy who was related to Zeus through his mother Hecuba and his lover Helen. He was also involved in some of the most important events of the Trojan War, such as judging the goddesses, abducting Helen, and slaying Achilles. His life was marked by beauty, love, tragedy, and destiny. He was a complex and controversial character who inspired many artists and writers throughout history.
