Apple of Discord

a golden apple noted in Greek mythology. The myth is interesting. The gods assembled to celebrate the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis. Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited to the feast. Angered by the slight, she determined to cause strife. She threw into the midst of the gathering a golden apple bearing the inscription, "For the most beautiful." Juno, Minerva, and Venus contended for the prize. Jupiter, not wishing to decide so delicate a matter, sent the goddesses to Paris, who kept his flocks on Mt. Ida. The handsome shepherd awarded the apple to Venus. In return for this favor Venus aided Paris to win the beautiful Helen, wife of Menelaus. Paris carried Helen to Troy. They were pursued by Menelaus and thus arose the Trojan War. The term, Apple of Discord, is often used to designate that which divides friends and causes foolish contention. See Paris; Troy