How can a man who's so darn pretty be such a coward is beyond me. I know, I know. When he picked love above power, he gave away his cowardice. Still, he supposedly cares for this mortal woman, but has to be coerced into fighting by his brother. Whoever won the duel would win Helen's hand... even though the trollop was married to Menelaus!
Aphrodite has to get involved in affairs that should be none of Her business. She had no right in the first place to give Helen to the Trojan, when she rightfully belonged to Menelaus! Her interference in the duel should have been a clear violation. Instead, the cheat Alexandros continues to bed the girl, even though she has made her dislike for him known.
"We have Gods on our side also" (3.440). Please. You have Aphrodite, a fertility goddess. It is the Greeks, with Me, the Queen of the Gods, and Athene, the warrior Goddess who will be victorious in this war.
Douris. Duel of Paris and Menalaos. ca 485 - 480 BCE. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France.
(Later)
ZUES SUCKS. I swear to Us, He does this just to piss me off. I stand and watch because my Greeks do not need intercession... much less a fussy fertility Goddess sticking her nose where it doesn't belong.
I even asked him why He insists on fighting against Me, when the Trojan have worked against Me, his wife? How can He let their insult against Me stand? Instead, he offers Me a "deal". The downfall of Troy in exchange for the decimation of one of My cities. Fine, if that is what it takes for My honor to be avenged. He sent Athene to stir up the Trojans, so that they will move against the Achaians and cause the battle to resume. Her speech worked, and the Trojan Pandaros drew his bow against the mighty Agamemnon. Athene's plan works, and the Achians take up arms against the Trojan oath-breakers. She helps them in battle, while Ares fights on the side of the Trojans.
Athene gives strength to Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and tricks Ares into leaving the battle so as not to invite the wrath of Zeus onto them. Battle ensued, and Diomedes ravaged the Trojan forces. She had to borrow Her brother, Ares, chariot to come home and nurse Her wounds.
Aphrodite again interfered! Diomedes got the upperhand though, and spilled Her immortal blood. This is Her punishment for interfering in affairs that are out of Her realm. She had to borrow Her brother Ares', chariot to return to Olympos to nurse Her wounds. Even Zeus tried to warn Her to mind her own affairs, and to leave battles to Athene and Ares.
Ares, angered by the slight against His sister, joins the side of the Trojans. With His help, the Trojans and the Achaians battle each other-- finally Zeus allows Athene and I to intercede on behalf of my beloved Greeks. Athene lifts her injunction against Diomedes attacking any of Us besides Aphrodite, and rides into battle with him against Ares. With Her help, he is able to wound the God of War!
Of course, Ares goes whining to Zeus. Honestly, he's worse than Achilles. I'm sometimes ashamed to be his mother.
