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The Judgement of Paris

 Onwards

Euripides: The Trojan Women
Helen's self-defence before Menelaus and Hecabe

                                                      "Paris was
Made judge between three goddesses. Athene's bribe
Was this: that he should lead the Phrygians to war
And destroy Hellas. Hera promised him a throne
Bestriding Asia and Europe, if he placed her first.
Aphrodite, with extravagant praise of my beauty,
Promised him that, if he judged her the loveliest,
I should be his. What next? See how the story goes.
Aphrodite won; and from my marriage Hellas gained
This benefit: you today are neither overwhelmed
By Asian armies, nor ruled by an Asian king."

An ivory comb with the Judgement of Paris

6th century BC
Bronze coin of Maximianus I

235-238 A.D.
From Tarsus in Cilicia
Hermes, holding his scepter in his left hand, leads forward the three goddesses, Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. On the right stands Paris, and between him and Hermes stands Iris, facing Paris, holding a wreath in each hand.

Attic black figure tripod kothon
c. 570 BC
Paris sits on a knoll, playing a lyre, surrounded by his herd of five goats. Hermes, in winged boots and a domed hat, leads forward the three goddesses, Athena, Hera and Aphrodite, gesturing towards Paris and explaining the nature of the task ahead. Athena holds a spear, Hera a sceptre and Aphrodite a dove. Each also has a red twig in one hand.
Attic red figure kylix
Makron, 490 BC
Paris sits holding a lyre on a rocky outcrop, rather like a natural throne. At his feet is a mountain ram, its fleece indicated with arrow-shaped marks. Three goddesses enter: first Hera holding a sceptre, then Athena holding a spear and lastly Aphrodite in a modest mantle. Each of the goddesses has a wavy loop of hair brought forward over the temples.

Attic red figure hydria
c. 500 BC

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