This story is the mythological cause of Trojan Wars

Aphrodite: Goddess of beauty and love. She was born of the sea foams arose over the sea waves from the blood and flesh weep­ing from the testicles of Cronus. She has two characteristics:

• Aphrodite Urania; goddess of pure love.


• Aphrodite Pandemos; goddess of prostitution.

Aphrodite is Hephaistos’s wife and this man is a blacksmith and worker lame god. Ares is her greatest love. Aphrodite is al­ways portrayed as being nude. She did not intend to hide her beauty. Pigeon, dove and rose are her symbols.

A legend; While gods and goddesses are sitting and chatting on the Mount Ida (Kaz Mountains) and drinking their nectars on the other hand, a debate over the most beautiful goddess comes up. Is it Zeus’ wife Hera or his daughter Athena or Aphrodite? After the debate three of them take it personally. None of the gods standing there dares to speak his mind. All of a sudden they find themselves in an uneasy atmosphere. Taking the advantage of this commotion, Eris throws an apple with an inscription “To the most beautiful Goddess” on it.

Three goddesses reach for the apple. They fight like cat and dog. There is an unbearable noise now. Zeus interferes in the dis­pute involuntarily and He refrains from giving a decision due to his relation with three goddesses.

“Goddesses” says Zeus. “I love three of you equally. I assign Paris, a shepherd on the Mount Ida, as the arbitrator. Go and find him!.. Settle this matter!..”

Guided by Hermes three goddesses set forth to find Paris. Hermes relates the facts to Paris. Paris scans three goddesses from head to foot. What crossing his mind cannot be known but he is also not able to give judgment. Noticing this situation the goddesses go ahead to make promises to Paris.

Hera:

“Look, you handsome guy” says, “If you give me the apple, I will make you the strongest mortal of the entire world.

Aphrodite:

“Look, you beautiful guy” says, “If you give me the apple, I will give you the most beautiful mortal woman of the world.”

Athena:

“Look, you brave guy” says, “if you give me the apple, I will make you the strongest warrior of the world.”

Confused with such charming promises, Paris submits the apple to Aphrodite who made the promise of “the most beautiful woman”. Thus, Aphrodite becomes the goddess of beauty.

The first beauty contest was held on the Mount Katz (Ida).

Aphrodite keeps her promise and submits the Spartan King Agamemnon’ wife beautiful Helena to Paris.