How Did Paris Choose Aphrodite

In The Judgement of Paris, Paris is given three choices power, honor and respect, or the fairest women in all the land. These choices are given by three goddesses named Helen, Athena, and Aphrodite. Paris chooses Aphrodite's choice in the story. Paris should have picked Athena so that he could be a war hero.

Paris should not have picked Aphrodite because If he does he will start a 10 year war, lose his nymph, and his life. On page 255 it states “ He gave Aphrodite the golden apple. That was the Judgement of Paris, famed everywhere as the real reason why the Trojan War was fought”( Edith Hamilton pg 255). As one can see if Paris would not have gave Aphrodite the golden apple the Trojan War would not have started. It also states on page 280 “ They took him to her and asked her for his life, but she refused. His desertion of her, his long forgetfulness, could not be forgiven in a moment

It also states” This was her doing, he said, her crafty, crooked ways”(Hamilton 269).This citation shows how Zeus says that Hera is very untrustworthy and sneaky.

However Athena would be the choice for Paris because he would be a war hero which means that the Trojan War might have still started, but they would have won.
”Athena, that he would lead the Trojans to victory against the Greeks and lay Greece in ruins”(Hamilton 255).This shows how Paris would have lead the Trojans to win the war.It also states “ she is a fierce and ruthless battle-goddess,”(Hamilton 24).This shows how Athena would help Paris with the war.

As one can see, Athena is the best choice for Paris,because he would defeat the Greeks. Although in Aphrodite's bribe he would die. Also in Hera's bribe he would most likely die