Mount Ida (Troy)
placeMount Ida near Troy was the mountain from which the gods observed the Trojan War and where Paris judged the beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.
The Myth
Rising above the plain of Troy, Mount Ida was where the shepherd-prince Paris was raised after his parents Priam and Hecuba abandoned him due to a prophecy that he would destroy Troy. On its slopes, Hermes brought Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite to Paris for his fateful judgement. He awarded the golden apple to Aphrodite, who promised him the most beautiful woman in the world — Helen of Sparta. During the war, Zeus sat on the peak of Ida to watch the fighting below, sometimes intervening, sometimes forbidding other gods from doing so. The mountain was also sacred to Cybele, the Anatolian mother goddess.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Judgement of Paris on Mount Ida was considered the ultimate cause of the Trojan War — a single beauty contest that destroyed a civilisation.
Explore Further
Aphrodite
godGoddess of love and beauty, born from the sea foam. Aphrodite's power to inspire desire was so...
Athena
godGoddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, born fully armored from the head of Zeus. Patron deity of...
Hecuba
heroHecuba was the queen of Troy who watched her husband, sons, and city destroyed — embodying the...
Helen
heroThe most beautiful woman in the world, daughter of Zeus. Her elopement with Paris of Troy triggered...
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Hermes
godThe swift messenger of the gods and guide of souls to the underworld. Hermes was the cleverest of...