1. The Judgment of Paris:
The Trojan War was ignited by the mythological dispute between three Greek goddesses - Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. After Eris (the goddess of discord) tossed the golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" into the midst of the goddesses, each of them claimed the right to possess it.
2. Paris' Choice:
Zeus, the king of gods, deemed Paris, a prince of Troy, to be the judge in this contest. Each goddess tried to persuade Paris with their offerings. Hera promised political power, Athena offered military might and wisdom, while Aphrodite enticed Paris with the love of the most beautiful woman in the world.
3. Paris' Decision:
Paris succumbed to Aphrodite's temptation, awarding her the golden apple. As a reward, Aphrodite promised him the love of the incredibly beautiful Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, sparking the foundation for the Trojan War.
4. Menelaus' Response:
Understandably, Menelaus was furious upon learning of Paris' affair with Helen and Troy's refusal to return her. Menelaus sought assistance from his brother Agamemnon, the powerful leader of Mycenae, who convened an assembly of Greek heroes and leaders to discuss the matter.
5. The Gathering of the Greek Heroes:
Agamemnon mustered an alliance of Greek warriors, which included legendary heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus, Diomedes, and Ajax. They set out on an expedition to Troy, seeking vengeance for the insult against Menelaus and the retrieval of Helen.
Important Note:
It's worth mentioning that the exact reason behind the Trojan War varies depending on different accounts in Greek myths and literature. Some versions attribute it to a curse on Paris because he was considered a shepherd despite being a prince, while others attribute the war to Aphrodite's intervention and Paris' decision.