1. The Apple of Discord: At the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Eris, the goddess of discord, was excluded from the festivities. In revenge, she threw a golden apple inscribed "For the Fairest" amongst the goddesses. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed the apple, triggering a dispute.
2. Paris' Judgement: The dispute was settled by Paris, Prince of Troy, who was tasked with choosing the fairest goddess. Bribed by Aphrodite with the promise of the most beautiful woman in the world, Paris awarded the apple to Aphrodite.
3. The abduction of Helen: As promised, Aphrodite helped Paris abduct Helen, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. This sparked a war between the Greeks and Trojans, as Menelaus demanded her return.
4. The Greek Response: Led by Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus, the Greeks assembled a powerful army, launching a ten-year siege of Troy to reclaim Helen.
Key elements of the war, according to Homer, include:
* Divine intervention: Gods and goddesses actively participated in the war, influencing events and aiding their favored sides.
* Fate and destiny: The war is often seen as a preordained conflict, with the gods playing a role in determining its outcome.
* Heroic deeds: The war is filled with tales of bravery, skill, and cunning by both Greek and Trojan heroes, such as Achilles, Hector, and Odysseus.
The Trojan War, as described by Homer, is not simply about a stolen woman. It's a story of love, betrayal, honor, revenge, and the struggle between mortal ambition and divine intervention.