TheTrojanWarhasitsrootsinthemarriagebetweenPeleusandThetis,asea-goddess.PeleusandThetishadnotinvitedEris,thegoddessofdiscord,totheirmarriageandtheoutragedgoddessstormedintotheweddingbanquetandthrewagoldenappleontothetable.Theapplebelongedto,Erissaid,whomeverwasthefairest.

　　Hera,Athena,andAphroditeeachreachedfortheapple.ZeusproclaimedthatParis,princeofTroyandthoughttobethemostbeautifulmanalive,wouldactasthejudge.

　　HermeswenttoParis,andParisagreedtoactasthejudge.Herapromisedhimpower,Athenapromisedhimwealth,andAphroditepromisedthemostbeautifulwomanintheworld.

　　ParischoseAphrodite,andshepromisedhimthatHelen,wifeofMenelaus,wouldbehiswife.ParisthenpreparedtosetoffforSpartatocaptureHelen.TwinprophetsCassandraandHelenustriedtopersuadehimagainstsuchaction,asdidhismother,Hecuba.ButPariswouldnotlistenandhesetoffforSparta.

　　InSparta,Menelaus,husbandofHelen,treatedParisasaroyalguest.However,whenMenelausleftSpartatogotoafuneral,ParisabductedHelen(whoperhapswentwillingly)andalsocarriedoffmuchofMenelaus'wealth.

　　InTroy,HelenandParisweremarried.Thisoccuredaround1200B.C.(Wood,16).