The Treasure:
" A copper shield
" a copper cauldron with handles
" an unknown copper artifact, perhaps the hasp of a chest
" a silver vase containing two gold diadems (the "Jewels of Helen"),
8750 gold rings, buttons and other small objects, six
gold bracelets, two gold goblets "a copper vase " a wrought gold bottle
" two gold cups, one wrought, one cast
" a number of red terra cotta goblets
" an electrum cup (mixture of gold and silver)
" six wrought silver knife blades (which Schliemann put forward as money)
" three silver vases with fused copper parts
" more silver goblets and vases
" thirteen copper lance heads
" fourteen copper axes
" seven copper daggers
" other copper artifacts with the key to a chest.
The Apple of Discord
The Trojan War has its roots in the marriage between Peleus and Thetis, a sea-goddess. Peleus and Thetis had not invited Eris, the goddess of discord, to their marriage and the outraged goddess stormed into the wedding banquet and threw a golden apple onto the table. The apple belonged to, Eris said, whoever was the fairest !!
Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each reached for the apple. Zeus proclaimed that prince of Troy, Paris who was thought to be the most handsome man alive, would act as the judge.
Hermes went for Paris, and Paris agreed to act as the judge. Hera promised him power, Athena promised him wealth, and Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful woman in the world.
Paris chose Aphrodite's promise. She promised him Helen, the wife of Menelaus, would be his wife. Paris then prepared to set off for Sparta to capture Helen. Twin prophets Cassandra and Helenus tried to persuade him against such action, as did his mother, Hecuba. But Paris would not listen and he set off for Sparta.
In Sparta, Menelaus, husband of Helen, treated Paris as a royal guest. However, when Menelaus left Sparta to go to a funeral, Paris abducted Helen (who perhaps went willingly) and also carried off much of Menelaus' wealth.
In Troy, Helen and Paris were married.
