Definition: In Greek mythology, Eris was the goddess of discord or the personification of strife. At the wedding of Achilles' parents, Peleus and the nymph Thetis, Eris, who had not been invited, threw out her golden apple of discord with the message that it was to be awarded the most beautiful. Three goddesses contended for it. Paris, a son of King Priam of Troy was selected to pick the most beautiful among Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. Based on his choice, Aphrodite received the apple of discord.
Also Known As: Discord (Discordia)
Examples: In the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, a wicked fairy acts like Eris when snubbed by not being invited to an important festivity. The fairy places a curse upon a baby princess at her christening. Eris, in the pre-Christian Greek mythology, uses an apple of discord at a wedding between a mortal and the nymph Thetis. Zeus had wanted to marry Thetis and is said to have been involved in the apple of discord plot.
