The Judgement of Paris

Hyginus - Fabulae
Alexander Paris

When Priam, son of Laomedon, already had a number of children, he slept with Hecabe, daughter of Cisseus or Dymas. His wife, when pregnant, dreamed about a blazing torch, which exploded into hundreds of snakes.

When all the analysts were told of this dream, they decreed that whatever she should give birth to should be put to death, or it would bring about the destruction of the homeland.

As soon as Hecabe gave birth to Alexandros, he was handed over to be killed; but the servants took pity on him and exposed him instead. Some shepherds found him abandoned, gave him the name of Paris and brought him up as their son.

When he grew older, he kept a bull as a pet. Servants, sent by Priam to pick out a bull to be used as a stake in forthcoming funeral games, started to drive off Paris' bull.

He pursued them and asked them to where they were taking it; they informed him that they were leading it to Priam for whoever should come first in the funeral games of Alexandros.

Spurred on by the love of his bull, he marched down to the games and won everything, outstripping even his own brothers. The furious Deiphobus drew his sword against him, so he lept onto the household altar of Jove.

Cassandra pronounced that he was her brother; as a result, Priam recognised him and admitted him back into his house.