Episode 34: Alexander Paris, the One Who Started it All

In this episode, we’ll explore the fascinating figure of Alexandros (Alexander), also called Paris. He’s the one who, fated to bring destruction on Troy, survived exposure as a baby and later seduced the gorgeous Greek woman Helen and brought her back to Troy. In addition, Paris, himself gorgeous, was the Trojan that Zeus made judge the three goddesses—in other words, he was the prime mover of the Trojan War, or at least the main human actor that brings war to Troy. We cover his first marriage (how many of you knew he married young?), his eventful life and crushing death.

First, as a reminder, here is the genealogical chart for Trojan Kings:

In this red figure vase painting from around 430 BC, Himeros, one of Aphrodite’s children and the god of desire, stokes the flames of Paris’ passion prior to the prince’s famed wooing of Helen. (Image from Theoi.com)

A red figure vase that is estimated to have been made between 410 BC and 400 BC. It depicts Paris preparing to leave for his journey to Sparta where he will encounter Helen. Aphrodite is there to send him off alongside the flying god of love, Eros, as well as her son Aeneas who will accompany Paris to Sparta. Note the very elaborate clothing worn by the eastern Paris—the Greeks saw them as a people enamored with luxury. (Image from Theoi.com)

A red figure vase from around 480 BC signed simply by ‘Douris’ illustrating the duel between Paris and Menelaus as seen in the third book of the Iliad. Aphrodite and another female goddess, most likely Artemis due to her wielding of the bow, are standing by in support of the Trojan. (Image from Theoi.com)

Paris holding a bow with an arrow dropping suspiciously towards Achilles heel. In between the two stands Apollo who, with an outstretched hand, seems to be divinely manipulating the arrow to its target. Vase from about 460 BC.

In the following vase, now lost and only known from drawings, Achilles lies dead at the hands of Paris (with Apollo nowhere to be seen). Note that there are multiple wounds and not just one in the foot!

Credits

Written by: Christopher Nadeau

Narrated by: R. Scott Smith

Sound Engineering, Voice Actors: Jackson Scheele

Music: Jared Sims