Paris.
A Trojan prince, Paris was the youngest son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. Because his mother had dreamed that she would bear a child who would bring fire to destroy the city, Paris was exposed at birth. He was rescued by shepherds, who called him Alexander (meaning Protector or Protected). Paris spent his youth grazing cattle on Mount Ida. He fell in love with the nymph Oenone and married her. When Priam’s servants carried off one of Paris’s favorite bulls to be given as a prize in funeral games, the youth was determined to get it back. He did so by winning every contest, whereupon he was threatened by Deiphobus, one of his brothers, but his sister Cassandra recognized him and he was restored to the family.

     Before his return to Troy, Paris was selected to judge the dispute among Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera over the golden apple of Eris (Discord). Each claimed the title of “most beautiful”; Paris chose Aphrodite because she had promised him a reward of the most beautiful woman in the world as his wife. This contest, known as the Judgment of Paris, led to the abduction of Helen and the Trojan War, thus fulfilling Hecuba’s dream. With Priam’s encouragement, and despite Cassandra’s dire prophecies and Hecuba’s strong objection, Paris abandoned Oenone and journeyed to Sparta, where he met the beautiful Helen, whom he either kidnapped or persuaded to elope with him.

     On returning to Troy, Paris and Helen were received warmly by Priam and with mistrust by the rest of the royal family. During the siege of Troy, although he was castigated by Hector for staying away from the battle, Paris fought bravely. He met Menelaus in single combat, the victor to claim Helen indisputably. Paris was nearly overpowered by the Greek and had to be rescued by Aphrodite; the fight was inconclusive. Later, with the help of Apollo, Paris slew Achilles by shooting an arrow into his vulnerable heel. At the fall of Troy, when Paris was wounded by a poisoned arrow shot by Philoctetes, who possessed the bow of Heracles, he sought a cure from Oenone, the wife he had abandoned. The proud nymph refused, and Paris died.

    In classical and postclassical art alike, the most common representations of Paris are those depicting the Judgment. Even in statues and portraits not connected to that episode, Paris is often seen holding the golden apple. Portrayals of the abduction of Helen, their marriage, and his combat with Menelaus are also common.

     
Classical Sources. Homer, Iliad 3, 6, 7, 11, 22 passim. Stasinus, Cypria 1.9.10. Lesches, Little Iliad 1. Euripides, Andromache 274-308; The Trojan Women 920-32; Helen 22-30; Alexander (fragment). Ovid, Heroides 16.43-93; Metamorphoses i2.4ff., 12.598—611, 13.200—04, 15.805. Apollodorus, Biblioteca 3.12.4—6, E3.1—5, J.8. Hyginus, Tabulae 91, 92, no.

     

      Listings are arranged under the following headings:
Paris and Oenone
Judgment of Paris
Paris and Helen

See also: Helen of Troy; Trojan War.