Franklin Dean
The wedding of Peleus and Thetis was a grand event in Greek mythology, celebrated on Mount Pelion outside the cave of Chiron the centaur. All the gods were invited, except for Eris, the goddess of discord. Annoyed at being left out, she showed up anyway and threw a golden apple inscribed for the fairest into the crowd, sparking a beauty contest between Juno, Venus, and Minerva. This set in motion a series of events that led to the Trojan War. The marriage of Peleus, a mortal, and Thetis, a sea nymph, also produced a son, Achilles, who became a central figure in the war.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | Unknown, but known to Homer in the late 8th century BC |
| Location | Mount Pelion, outside the cave of Chiron |
| Guests | All the gods except Eris, Goddess of Discord |
| Gifts | A polished ashen spear from Chiron, a knife from Hephaestus, a bowl with an embossed Eros from Aphrodite, a chlamys from Hera, a flute from Athena, a basket of 'divine' salt from Nereus, the wings of Arke from Zeus, immortal horses from Poseidon |
| Eris's Gift | A golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" |
| Eris's Motivation | Revenge for not being invited |
| Apple Recipients | Juno, Venus, and Minerva, or Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite |
| Judge | Paris, a mortal prince |
| Outcome | Judgement of Paris, leading to the Trojan War |
| Thetis's Reaction | Fled and never returned |
| Children of Peleus and Thetis | Seven sons, six of whom died in infancy, and one daughter, Achilles |
What You'll Learn
Zeus and Poseidon desire Thetis, a sea nymph
Thetis, a sea nymph, was desired by both Zeus and Poseidon. However, a prophecy foretold that Thetis would bear a son who would become greater than his father, and as Zeus and Poseidon had both dethroned their own fathers, the two gods decided to marry her off to a mortal man.
Zeus and Poseidon arranged for Thetis to marry Peleus, a mortal king and son of Aeacus. However, Thetis initially refused Peleus. Proteus, an early sea god, advised Peleus to find Thetis when she was asleep and bind her tightly to keep her from escaping by changing forms. She shapeshifted, becoming flame, water, a raging lioness, and a serpent, but Peleus held fast, and Thetis eventually consented to the marriage.
Zeus threw a huge feast to celebrate the wedding, and all the gods were invited except for Eris, the goddess of discord. Annoyed, Eris crashed the wedding and threw a golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" into the crowd of goddesses. This set in motion the events that led to the Trojan War.
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The prophecy: Thetis's son will be greater than his father
Thetis, a sea nymph and goddess of water, was courted by Zeus and Poseidon. However, a prophecy foretold that Thetis's son would become greater than his father, mirroring how Zeus had dethroned his own father. To avoid this threat to the gods, Zeus and Poseidon decided to marry her off to a mortal.
The chosen groom was Peleus, a mortal king. Peleus tracked Thetis down, but she tried to shake him off by transforming into a lioness, serpent, fire and water. However, Peleus was determined and would not give up. Eventually, Thetis surrendered and agreed to the wedding.
Zeus threw a huge feast to celebrate the marriage, and all the gods were invited except Eris, the goddess of discord. Annoyed at being excluded, Eris crashed the wedding and threw a golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" into the crowd of goddesses. This set off a chain of events that led to the Trojan War.
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Zeus arranges Thetis's marriage to a mortal, Peleus
Peleus, a mortal king, pursues Thetis, but she resists him by transforming into a lioness, serpent, fire, and water. However, Proteus, an early sea-god, advises Peleus to capture Thetis while she sleeps and bind her tightly to prevent her escape. Peleus follows this advice, and Thetis, unable to break free, eventually consents to the marriage.
Zeus organises a grand feast to celebrate the union, inviting all the gods except Eris, the Goddess of Discord. Enraged at being excluded, Eris crashes the wedding and throws a golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" into the crowd. This sets off a chain of events that leads to the Trojan War.
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Eris, goddess of discord, crashes the wedding
Eris, the Greek goddess of strife and discord, was the only goddess not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Annoyed at being snubbed, she showed up anyway and wreaked havoc by tossing a golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" into the crowd.
The apple was claimed by three goddesses: Hera, queen of the gods; Athena, goddess of wisdom and war; and Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Zeus asked Paris, a mortal prince, to decide which of the goddesses was the fairest and should therefore be given the apple. Each goddess offered Paris a bribe: Hera offered political power, Athena promised infinite wisdom, and Aphrodite tempted him with Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite, thereby dooming his city, which was destroyed in the war that ensued.
Eris's actions at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis set in motion the events that led to the Trojan War.
Eris Crashes the Wedding
The wedding of Peleus and Thetis was a grand affair, celebrated on Mount Pelion, outside the cave of Chiron. All the gods were invited to the feast, except for Eris. Zeus had thrown the huge celebration, and all the Olympians were in attendance, bearing gifts for the happy couple. But Eris, the troublemaker, had been left off the guest list.
Enraged at the slight, Eris decided to crash the wedding and cause mischief. Flying over the wedding feast, she threw a golden apple into the crowd of cavorting deities. Inscribed on the apple were the words "for the fairest". The apple was soon claimed by three goddesses: Hera, queen of the gods; Athena, goddess of wisdom and war; and Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Zeus asked Paris, a mortal prince, to decide which of the goddesses was the fairest and should therefore be given the apple. Paris was offered bribes by each of the goddesses: Hera promised him dominion over the world, Athena offered him glory in war, and Aphrodite tempted him with Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. Unable to resist, Paris chose Aphrodite, thereby sealing the fate of his city.
Eris's actions at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the Trojan War. The abduction of Helen by Paris sparked the conflict, and the gods themselves took sides in the war, with far-reaching consequences for mortals and immortals alike.
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Eris's golden apple ignites the Trojan War
Eris, the goddess of discord, was the only one not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Annoyed at being snubbed, she turned up anyway and threw a golden apple into the crowd, intending it "for the fairest". The apple was claimed by three goddesses: Juno (or Hera), Venus (or Aphrodite), and Minerva (or Athena). Zeus (or Jupiter) was asked to decide which of the goddesses was the fairest, but he passed the task on to Paris, a mortal prince of Troy.
Each of the goddesses offered Paris a bribe in return for the apple. Hera offered to make him the king of Europe and Asia Minor, Athena offered him wisdom and skill in battle, and Aphrodite offered him the love of Helen of Sparta, widely considered the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite, and so awarded her the apple. In doing so, he slighted Juno and Minerva, and also angered Helen's husband, King Menelaus of Sparta. This set off a chain of events that led to the Trojan War.
Helen eloped with Paris, and Menelaus responded by gathering his allies and laying siege to Troy. The war lasted ten years, and ended with the Greeks victorious. The abduction of Helen sparked the conflict, but the judgement of Paris at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis was its original cause.
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Frequently asked questions
Peleus was a Greek hero, king of Phthia, and husband of Thetis. Thetis was a sea nymph, a goddess of water, and one of the 50 Nereids, daughters of the ancient sea god Nereus.
Zeus arranged the marriage of Peleus to Thetis because he loved her himself but feared a prophecy that her son would become more powerful than him. Marrying Thetis to a mortal assured that her son would be mortal and therefore no threat to Zeus' sovereignty.
The wedding was celebrated on Mount Pelion, outside the cave of the centaur Chiron, and attended by the gods. Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited but showed up anyway and threw a golden apple inscribed "for the fairest" among the goddesses. This set off a beauty pageant that led to the Trojan War.
Peleus and Thetis had seven sons, six of whom died in infancy. The only surviving son was Achilles, who became a great warrior but was killed in the Trojan War when Paris shot him in his vulnerable spot, the heel.
