Coward or Hero? The Story of Paris - The CULPRIT of the Trojan War - Greek Mythology
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Paris, prince of Troy, is famous in Greek mythology for starting the Trojan War. Son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, he was abandoned at birth due to a prophecy but survived and grew up as a shepherd. Chosen to judge the beauty between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, he chose Aphrodite, who promised him the love of Helen. This led him to abduct the beautiful Helen, wife of Menelaus, which culminated in the war. Paris killed the famous hero Achilles but was also a victim of the Trojan War.
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Paris not only kidnapped a married woman who was brainwashed by Aphrodite he also raided the Spartan treasury which he gave to the Trojan Nobles to calm them down, so he broke the guest rights which are sacred. So it's hard to feel sorry for him.
Firstly she went willingly. Secondly, he didn't steal anything in the original
@@irotr53they're still guilty of adultery, then.
@@imperatordrakon6488 No because she was a gift from the goddess if he was to give her back then the goddess would curse him and if she refused then the goddess would curse her.
in short, Greece was in the wrong as they started a war over the gift of a goddess.
paris was selfish as he was unwilling to take the risk, but after his death, his brother made the mistake of not giving Helen back.
@@irotr53i’m sorry, but what story is the original?
@@dorotheaharonisz2976I don't mean original original as in the parchment Homer used but the eldest versions we've got or accounts. There's a lot of modern retellings of myths these days which are taken as fact, including stuff about Paris
Recently decided to read the Iliad and all other major Greek and Roman texts exclusively until I have covered them all. I seriously recommend it
He started as a hero for his bull defeating Hector, but is cowardly when facing Menelaus after stealing his wife. He betrayed his first love, betrayed his friend, started a war, and fleeing the dual before it concluded further cementing the war. Course the fault could also fall of the King of Troy for he can not alter the future for another. But it was Paris's own choices that could've alter the future, so he cemented the fate of Troy. He could've chosen Aphrodite without the promise of a reward. And yet, he chose Helen over his first love, before he even met her. The nymph was right not to help him.
Actually Aphrodite deliberately left out the fact Helen was married to lure in Paris
@@irotr53he found out when he met her. But he didn't care he chose her still. I could care less about Troy's fall, that was gonna happen whether or not he was raised in Troy or out. But he promised to be faithful to the nymph and he broke it, that is unforgivable. Remember, always keep your promises, even if it kills you.
@@reddhafallen7289and yet Helen promised to stay faithful ot Menelaus yet willingly went with Paris. Where's the Helen hate?
@@irotr53Oh historically there's been a lot of criticism of Helen's actions
@@WorshipperoftheOldGodspersonally I think neither of them deserve the hate. It all traces back to the gods
Achilles : " HECTOR !!!!!!!!! I mean PARIS !!!!!!!!!! PARIS !!!!!!!!! "
Meanwhile in FGO: Paris is a 2 star Archer kid femboy that uses Apollo/Helios as a weapon.
Paris is a Coward not even close to be a hero, he couldn't fight Achilles nor Menelaus in hand to hand combat at least Hector chose to stand his ground and fight against Achilles, Hector had more courage then Paris ever could.
Actually it was Paris' idea to fight Menelaus. He wanted to prove he wasn't a coward to Hector. He wanted to either win or die but Aphrodite wisked him away so he couldn't. Secondly, he fought willingly alongside Hector in hand to hand combat. Thirdly, how come it's cowardly Paris uses a bow but Pandarus, Philoctetes andTeucer are seen as heroic for using bows?
@@irotr53 true you made a good point on that but Paris has no experience in war he lacks on courage, sword skills and less willing to put his neck on the line but Pandarus is a renowned archer and the son of Lycaon who fought on the side of Troy in the Trojan War and led a contingent from Zeleia he was know to be an energetic and powerful warrior until Athena tricked him to strike Menelaus and he lost his life against Diomedes.
@@chandlersnyder308Paris also heads into battle willingly alongside Hector right after Aphrodite wisked him away from his duel with Menelaus
@@irotr53 You forget that Paris, after being wisked awayby Aphrodite to avoid the duel with Menelaus, did NOT return in battle, but told Helen to come to bed and enjoy their "love". Helen was already disappointed with him, she clearly told him "I wish my first husband had killed you". (but still, she went to bed with him) And while Paris was in bed with Helen, Hector was out fighting.
Nergal: "Something's missing in my immortal life."
Ereshkigal: "Hey, Gal. I'm back."
*Nergal:* 😊"There it is."
He started the Trojan War and I didn't feel bad for him.
You should, he was manipulated and blamed for everything, basically a scapegoat
@@irotr53 oh please the guy choose aphrodite because he wanted a better lover. That is an act of pure stupidity righr there
@@MinhNguyen-pk9qkthey bribed him actually. Originally he just had to choose one without hope of reward but he refused to because he knew he'd anger the other two. He was put into a lose lose situation
Still even if he was offered helen from aphrodite… could have thought it out more and asked for another woman. He knew the laws of hospitality and broke it. Not to mention angering Hera with breaking the union of marriage and athena with bringing treachery by stealing money and someone’s wife (cowardice). He already had a lover with a nymph who had powers. He is not a scapegoat since he did not thought of an alternative choice and chose to go along with Aphrodite’s plan. During the war continuously shown no honor and only cowardice like when he was confronted by Menelaus and shooting the arrow to Achilles while he was already fighting.
@@Joshie03in the original, Aphrodite deliberately didn't tell Paris Helen was married to sway him
Troy would've fall regardless. His father was a fool. You can call Paris cowardly but his father was responsible for that image. Paris is a shepherd living a peaceful life, until he was accepted back by his own father. Paris is not a warrior, he may have bested Hector to win back his bull. But that was one on one combat to protect livestock from wranglers, not combat for fighting hordes of soldiers on a field of battle. While some shepherds may make great warriors, others do not. If he was raised in Troy he probably would've been a good warrior. But he wasn't.
I'm gunna go with coward
Oh how naive
Imagine being known as a coward for all of history 😳
And not actually being one😭
What’s worse? Being known as a coward or a traitor?
@@masteroftheassassinsTraitor
@@kevin-2.1 He was both a coward and a traitor.
Such great stories love it
❤❤❤❤ your videos and edits are amazing and fascinating and full of mystery and answers 😊😊😊
Paris may have been a pawn in the gods’ petty spats.
But he was also a selfish, spoiled coward who put his own kingdom in mortal danger. Said danger would, in the end, doom said kingdom.
He deserved what he got.
My guy is the most pitiful scapegoat in history. What do you suggest he do? Reject the goddesses? They would've killed him instantly
@@irotr53He could have just returned Helen
@@WorshipperoftheOldGodshe actually couldn't because that would've directly disrespected Aphrodite's gift which would've turned her against the Trojans instantly
@@irotr53could have picked Athena’s offer and picked her to make his kingdom stronger and Hera’s offer would have also made his kingdom stronger. Aphrodite’s offer was targeted for him and him alone with no benefit to his kingdom and only caused conflict.
@@irotr53
I’d suggest he honor the terms of his duel with Menelaus and face death like a man.
Imagine naming a city after him 🤔
Coward or not, he wasn’t a good man. I know the gods played with him but, there are many aspects which shows he wasn’t a positive person.
1. he had a pretty wife (Oenone), he abandoned her and their baby son, just because the girl wasn’t good enough for him
2. He kidnapped a woman who had already married! Of course, Helen wasn’t innocent in this story either, but an honest man doesn’t do that.
3. He betrayed the man who was his host. Remember, Paris not only kidnapped Helen, but also Menelaus’ treasures. Menelaus greeted him with open arms, and Paris stole his wife and their treasures.
4. According to the Iliad, Paris challenged a greek warrior to a duel, and when Menelaus accepted the challenge, Paris backed away. (What a brave man, right?)
He stood out the fight only because Hector started shouting at him, and called him a coward.
Sorry for the grammatical mistakes. English is not my native language :)
Two things, Helen went willingly in the original version. She fell in love with Paris and is as guilty of adultery as him.
Secondly, Paris didn't back out of the fight and would've died there if Aphrodite hadn't of saved him. Even after that he rejoined the battle alongside Hector
@@irotr53 i know, Helen fell in love with him, that’s why i wrote, she wasn’t innocent in that story.
Oh, but yess. In the 3 book of the Iliad, it said, that when Paris saw Menelaus, he backed away, because he scared.
@@dorotheaharonisz2976he was scared, so you're correct there, but it was also his idea to duel, which takes some amount of bravery
@@irotr53 bravery or conscience
@@irotr53 Helen "willingly" went to Paris because she is under the influence of Aphrodite's (or Eros's) love spell.
Thanks for the video 👍🏻
❤🤍💙 all your video's mate👍
He is no Hero but He definitely is a Coward. Worse than a coward, As you see here in this video here... After Paris got saved by Aphrodite spirited him back to the palace as he got stomped by Menelaus in a one on one duel which could have end the war without further bloodshed (if he actually stay true to it), He then decided to have a good time with Helen in the bedchamber while Hector lead the troops in defending their land instead of hurrying back to the battlefield to take responsibility as the participator or at the very least help fighting in the battle that break out after word. The Gods have no hands in this loathsome behavior of him.
And don't forget... The Trojan war was caused by Paris' stealing of Helen, The wife of Menelaus who he whisk back to Troy while Menelaus was away... Stealing a man wife then running away in the night, That is what a coward do. Even worse... The man, Menelaus is a friendly ally king (at the time) that welcomed Paris into his home and treated him with such hospitality. Instead of giving a him gratitude, Paris dishonoring him by not only taking away his wife but also his raiding his city... stole it's treasures and killing it's citizens on his way out. That is despicable.
You directly contradict yourself there. You say Aphrodite wisked Paris away from his fight with Menelaus yet you then say he ran from it? Doesn't makes sense
Secondly, Helen fell in love with Paris and willingly left
@@irotr53 Contradict what? He doesn't return to battle which he caused and let other do the fighting while he have a good time with a woman, That even worse than running away. Are you saying that does not make him a coward?
Doesn't matter if Helen fall for Paris or not, She married. A good man do not commit adultery and take away another man wife whether the woman is a willing participant or not. Especially when the another man we talking about is the one who welcome him to the house with open arms... and also a king who could bring war to your people.
@@ThanoosUdom i absolutely agree with you!
@@dorotheaharonisz2976you're also naive
@@irotr53 why?
Greece had taken down troy 😢
The survivors of Troy found Rome 😊
Rome had taken Greece down 🤯
Troy was located in Turkey.
Paris is an absolute fool. He should've chosen Athena because she offered the most applicable thing: wisdom. Had Paris chosen Athena, he would've been able to be a real hero in the Trojan War as he could've defeated Agamemnon in single combat right then and there saving countless lives including his own. Or, upon leaving Sparta with Helen, Paris could've devised a plan that had the Trojans winning the war by seizing both Mycenae and Sparta and just keeping Helen as a spoil of war. He could've had all three of the goddess' promises had he just chosen Athena.
Keep in mind he didn't know he was Prince of Troy when he made his decision. All he wanted at the time was a beautiful wife to live on his farm with him
Troy is falling anyway whoever goddess is Paris choosing, unfortunately.
Why you say that?@@DaughterofRevenge
@@oscienceturtle4662
Because it was destined that Paris will bring ruin to Troy upon his birth.
In the end, it didn't matter which goddess he chose, Troy would have fallen either way as it was prophecies so.
Sorry for my garbage English
@oscienceturtle4662
That the fates are cruel. Most of the Greek heroes' lives/deaths are tragic because they willed so.
Altho Paris choice is what started Trojac war. He and everyone else are just pawns of gods and destiny
Paris is Greek Mythologies number 1 Simp
I actually like Paris, he's just like me fr fr
Paris is not a hero nor a coward, just a guy sadly picked on by the gods. He gets a lot of hate he doesn't deserve purely for the actions of Zeus, Athena, Eris, Aphrodite and Hera.
Nah he still is definitely a coward😅
@@wankawanka3053in the Iliad he ran headfirst into war to fight alongside Hector. He volunteered to fight Menelaus to end the war and he would've died fighting if not for Aphrodite. What's cowardly about that?
@@irotr53to be fair picking Hera or Athena’s offers would have actually helped him and his kingdom
@@CarolinaBuckrushfair but if you were offered the thing you wanted most in life Vs two things you didn't care about, which would you choose?
@@irotr53uhmm, well… he called out the best greek warrior to fight with him, and when Menelaus accepted the challenge, Paris backed away. He fought with Menelaus only because Hector shouted at him, and scolded him!
During the duel, two gods help him, and he still can’t win that fight!
What a brave man…
Helen was evil?
It's weird Achilles wasn't considered a coward. He was all but invincible fighting mortals. He's a poster child for nepotism. So proud of his accomplishments that were handed to him on a silver platter.
He didn't respect other people, by dumping his ex, taking another man's wife because of egoistic reasons and don't fight for his city. Just an egoistic coward
Maybe egotistical, but he was far from a coward
Got his good brother killed I hate that boy
The way Paris was depicted by the Greek historians always confused me. "Paris was a coward, using a bow and arrow! He even killed Achilles with that cowardly weapon!! With Apollo, the God who one of his domains is _Bravery_ guiding his shot! ... what? ... Yes. That Apollo - the God that only fights with a Bow and Arrow."
@@thalastianjorus Apollo is different. He's a God. A bow isn't the preferred weapon for a man because it's too "safe". You're fighting from a distance rather than getting up close and personal. Apollo can't die. It wouldn't make sense to say He should prefer melee weapons because it literally doesn't matter. His preference for the bow is not strategic or reflective of His character but rather is theological in nature as the bow is a sacred symbol of His.
@@WorshipperoftheOldGodsyet Teucer, Pandarus and Philoctetes are seen as heroes for their bow usage. This is what I call Ancient Bias
@@irotr53 So I've done some digging. Long story short: it actually depends on what era in Greek history you are talking about whether or not archery is seen as not as manly. In the Bronze Age (when the Iliad is set), it wasn't a big deal though there is still the notion that Paris isn't fighting terribly honorably but it's not necessarily because of his weapon. Later in Greek history certain advancements in warfare meant there was a value put on the men that formed the phalanx because of the risk. So the idea that a bow is not as honorable was applied retroactively.
Pretty much, it's a later notion that got grafted on earlier stories where it didn't exist previously.
@@WorshipperoftheOldGodsthat's really interesting, thanks
@@WorshipperoftheOldGods but... Greek gods weren't Immortal in battle. That's _why_ they fled from Typhon, warred with each other quite often, could be injured/scarred - etc
Everything wasn't his fault. His parents were warned that his birth would bring destruction of troy . King priam could have returned Helen
The real villian is aphrodite who thinks everyone should be shipped to her liking.
Exactly, but also Eris is at fault
The true villain is Zeus. He is the mastermind behind this war.
@@DaughterofRevengeHe's no villain to me.
Hail Father Zeus!
Aphrodite is no villain to me. Hail Aphrodite!
This was explained in the movie Troy 2004. My favorite war film that started over love.
What insulting hera and especially Athena. Those 3 goddes be nudist for.a while to charmed Paris. While such action not bothering Aphrodite yet this actually bothering the other 2 especially athena
Aphrodity herself has many mortal child like eryx that slain by Heracles. And her most famous son Aeneas
0:00 Now this is Trojan War. This is Prince Paris lead them to war.
0:13 He was in love that woman.
0:31 His parents and tell them. A child was born.
1:23 He take care a baby. Paris was grown up and meet a woman Serban.
2:36 Wow they having celebrate on Mount Olympus.
2:59 Hermes give Paris a golden apple and choose what Gods he pick. He chose Aphrodite was a winner.
4:02 She warn him. No wonder he was great skills warrior.
4:38 Wow this revelation shocked everyone after they recognized when they look closer at him. I'm glad they reunited him as a family.
5:10😍 Wow meet a man Spartan with beautiful woman Helen. Cupid shot her fell in love with him.
5:46 Now they begin to flee.
6:19 Great skills archer Paris do and Achilles appear on battlefield.
8:04 What the!? Did Aphrodite save his life?
8:58 Apollo guided his hand to shoot Achilles leg with arrow. Now he shot Paris arrows poisoned with Hydra blood.
10:17😢 So sad she refused to help him. Now they burn his body to the death and then she throw herself onto the funeral fire where Paris's body. I hope they meet in the Afterlife in Underworld.
Wow. That was great story of Paris Coward or Hero? The CULPRIT of the Trojan War in Greek Mythology. Now that was amazing.
I remember Orlando Bloom who plays Paris in the movie of Troy😎👍💯
He was a coward saved by his Brother
Hector never saved Paris once
Everybody blamed Paris in this one but nobody talks how the freakin' gods were the cause of these madness in the first place. Istg many Greek gods were possibly the worst gods in mythology when it comes to morality itself that they've created in the first place, making them a bunch of hypocritical beings that were worst than normal humans(except for a few)
@@historyofthemortals3756 What makes you say the Gods are hypocrites?
@@WorshipperoftheOldGods the fact that they are mainly portrayed godly, but not malevolent in the first place explains it all. All of these gods have humane flaws (Greek gods specifically) from doing cheating, stealing, various harmful things to humans while holding standards for them that they shouldn't broke but they themselves (the gods) broke. For example, Zeus, the king of the gods, punished mortals for infidelity, yet he himself was notorious for his numerous affairs. Moreover, the fact that the Greek gods were supposed to hold peace in the first place in the realm but constantly bickering and having personal vendettas against each other proved how much they can be such hypocrites that came with severe cost at some points. Overall, these gods were portrayed reflecting human flaws but with godly power, they can be the worst kind that constantly broke their own rules and standards.
THIS. Paris was a pawn. Aphrodite, Eris, Hera, Athena and Zeus manipulated him
@@irotr53 Yeah. All to depopulate the earth of mortals according to the plan of Zeus (and Themis, mind you). It is fated since the very conceptions of Paris, Helen, and even Achilles.
@@irotr53All anyone said was that Paris would have the love of the most beautiful woman. He didn't have to kidnap Helen. He didn't need to violate Menelaus' hospitality. He didn't need to refuse to give Helen back. He could have struck a deal with Aphrodite and said, "I appreciate the offer of Helen but I think it would be incredibly irresponsible to put so many people's lives in jeopardy just because I want to sleep with another man's wife. Especially not one I literally broke bread with. How about I have my father build a temple in your honor as compensation as compensation for refusing this blessing?". Literally any outcome after that would have been better than what happened.
I'd have choosed between Athena or Hera
One of the most despicable sins of Humanity is lust.
And the lord GOD hates sin ✝️.
If only Eris could restrain herself
@@irotr53That wasn't really lust on Her part
@@WorshipperoftheOldGodswhat I mean is that if she restrained herself none of this would've happened
@@irotr53You want the embodiment of discord to restrain Herself? That's like saying, "If only the fire could restrain itself from burning my house!"
@@WorshipperoftheOldGodsit's not that deep man, it was just a joke
Is Paris named after him?
Was Hellen of Troy just a normal woman?
Or was she a priestess who held the knowledge of the mysteries? Perhaps the war was not over a woman but over the dotes and antidotes.
@@fatzrabbits4081 She was the daughter of Zeus who then was taken up to the heavens to live as a Goddess.
Hail to the Divine Helen of Troy!
Not surprising.
Coward
Paris isn't the culprit. Helen is. Helen could have prevented leaving the city. She had every opportunity and power to do so.
No she didn't. There is many versions where she was kidnapped or manipulated by Aphrodite to be with Paris.
She was also once kidnapped when she was a child by Theseus (the one who killed Minotaur) but was saved by her twin brothers.
You can't put all blame on women.
The whole reason why Paris was even abandoned to die was because he was destined to bring ruin to Troy upon his birth.
May you end up in Tartaros Paris!
This is nonsense alot of lies😂
@@RamoneHaughton What makes you say that?
Say he was a punk, bit of a little slimy guy, thought he got what was deserved when is was poisoned , and asked his Ex GF He left .she said no , so he dies
He was a farmer, manipulated, poisoned and tried to get help from an old friend before dying