to the prize, but at last all gave up their claim except Juno, Venus,
and Minerva, and they agreed to leave the settlement of the question
to Paris, son of Pri'am, King of Troy, a young prince who was noted
for the wisdom of his judgments upon several occasions.

The three goddesses soon afterwards appeared before Paris, and each
endeavored by the offer of tempting bribes, to induce him to decide in
her favor. Juno promised him great power and wealth.

She to Paris made
Proffer of royal power, ample rule
Unquestion'd.
TENNYSON.

Minerva offered military glory, and Venus promised that she would give
him the most beautiful woman in the world for his wife. After hearing
their claims and promises, Paris gave the apple to Venus. This award
or judgment brought upon him and his family, and all the Trojans, the
hatred of the two other goddesses, particularly of Juno, who, being
the queen of heaven, had expected that the preference, as a matter of
course would be given to her.

But besides the judgment of Paris, there was another cause of Juno's
anger against Troy. She had heard of a decree of the Fates that a race
descended from the Trojans was one day to destroy Carthage, a city in
which she was worshipped with much honor, and which she regarded with
great affection. She therefore hated Aeneas, through whom, as the
ancestor of the founders of Rome, the destruction of her beloved city
was to be brought about.