Judgment of Paris

The Judgment of Paris is a Greek myth in which the Trojan prince Paris must choose the fairest among three goddesses—Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.

Each offers a bribe; Paris awards the golden apple to Aphrodite, who promises him the most beautiful woman in the world.

His subsequent abduction of Helen triggers the Trojan War.

The phrase now describes any difficult choice among appealing options, or a competition judging beauty or excellence.