"Apple of discord" - the popular expression meaning an insignificant trifle or an event which is capable to lead to large-scale and catastrophic consequences. Many use this expression in everyday life, however not all know from where it happened.
Instruction
1. "Apple of discord" - the euphemism conducting the sort, as well as many other popular expressions from the Greek mythology. According to a legend, Zeus who was afraid of a prophecy according to which the son of the goddess Fetida had to overthrow it gave the titan Okean's daughter for the mortal tsarevitch Peley. A wedding saw off in a cave of a centaur of Chiron, the groom's friend, and on a celebration called many gods. Only the goddess of contention Erida was out of work. Knowing its very unpleasant character, she was not invited.
2. The angered Erida wandered near a cave where there was a fun, reflecting as to revenge it to offenders. And very elegant decision came to its mind. It threw on a holiday table apple with an inscription of "Finest".
3. Apple was noticed by three most beautiful goddesses – Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, and everyone considered that fruit by right has to belong to her. Goddesses appealed to Zeus to resolve their dispute, however god Thunderer did not begin to make so responsible choice, and entrusted to Hermes to accompany goddesses with apple to Mount Ide on which slope Paris grazed herds.
4. Each of goddesses, wishing to draw the young man on the party, began to promise him various benefits. Hera promised the power, Athena – wisdom and the ability is fine to own weapon. But most of all young man liked Aphrodite's promise to present it love of the finest of women. Therefore Paris passed apple to Aphrodite and by that drew upon himself anger of two other goddesses.
5. Aphrodite did not deceive Paris. She ordered to float to him to Sparta where Elena – the most beautiful of mortal women lived. Here only Elena was already married to the tsar of Sparta Menelaus. Paris seduced the girl and persuaded her to run with him that lovers also made. However Menelaus did not forgive treacheries and moved war to Troy. After bloody battles Paris's homeland fell. So apple became an indirect cause of destruction of the mighty and prospering city.