According to Greek legends, the mythological origin of the Trojan War involved a dispute among the gods over who was the fairest. The goddess Hera, Athena, and Venus competed for the golden apple, leading to the choice of Paris, a prince of Troy. His decision to award the apple to Aphrodite, who promised him the love of the most beautiful mortal (Helen of Sparta), set off a series of events that ultimately led to the war, highlighting themes of desire, competition, and betrayal.