Paris

Paris, in Greek mythology, son of Priam (king of Troy) and Hecuba. Left alone to die on Mt. Ida because his mother dreamed that she had given birth to the destroyer of Troy, the infant Paris was rescued and raised by shepherds. Years later the gods ordered Paris to judge a beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Hera promised him greatness and Athena victory in war, but he awarded the prize, the golden apple of discord, to Aphrodite, who promised to give him the most beautiful of women—Helen, wife of the Spartan king, Menelaus. Paris's abduction of Helen led to the Trojan War, in which Paris was killed.

See also: Mythology; France.