# Greek mythology

By [rosia1618](https://paragraph.com/@rosia1618) · 2021-10-29

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Apples appear in many [religious traditions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_religions), often as a mystical or [forbidden fruit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_fruit). One of the problems identifying apples in religion, [mythology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology) and [folktales](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore) is that the word "apple" was used as a generic term for all (foreign) fruit, other than berries, including nuts, as late as the 17th century.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-app3-31) For instance, in [Greek mythology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology), the [Greek hero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_hero) [Heracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles), as a part of his [Twelve Labours](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labours_of_Hercules), was required to travel to the Garden of the Hesperides and pick the golden apples off the [Tree of Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperides#The_Garden_of_the_Hesperides) growing at its center.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-book1-32)[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-book2-33)[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-34)

The Greek goddess of discord, [Eris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eris_\(mythology\)), became disgruntled after she was excluded from the wedding of [Peleus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peleus) and [Thetis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thetis).[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-35) In retaliation, she tossed a [golden apple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_of_Discord) inscribed [Καλλίστη](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallisti) (_Kalliste_, sometimes transliterated _Kallisti_, "For the most beautiful one"), into the wedding party. Three goddesses claimed the apple: [Hera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera), [Athena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athena), and [Aphrodite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphrodite). [Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_\(mythology\)) of [Troy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy) was appointed to select the recipient. After being bribed by both Hera and Athena, Aphrodite tempted him with the most beautiful woman in the world, [Helen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_of_Troy) of [Sparta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta). He awarded the apple to Aphrodite, thus indirectly causing the [Trojan War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_War).[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-36)

The apple was thus considered, in ancient Greece, sacred to Aphrodite. To throw an apple at someone was to symbolically declare one's love; and similarly, to catch it was to symbolically show one's acceptance of that love. An epigram claiming authorship by Plato states:[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-37)

> I throw the apple at you, and if you are willing to love me, take it and share your girlhood with me; but if your thoughts are what I pray they are not, even then take it, and consider how short-lived is beauty.
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> — [Plato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato), Epigram VII

[Atalanta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atalanta), also of Greek mythology, raced all her suitors in an attempt to avoid marriage. She outran all but [Hippomenes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippomenes) (also known as [Melanion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanion), a name possibly derived from _melon,_ the Greek word for both "apple" and fruit in general),[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple#cite_note-book2-33) who defeated her by cunning, not speed. Hippomenes knew that he could not win in a fair race, so he used three golden apples (gifts of Aphrodite, the goddess of love) to distract Atalanta. It took all three apples and all of his speed, but Hippomenes was finally successful, winning the race and Atalanta's hand.

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*Originally published on [rosia1618](https://paragraph.com/@rosia1618/greek-mythology)*