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Eris

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The Greek goddess of discord who sparked the Trojan War by tossing the Apple of Discord inscribed “to the fairest” among goddesses.

Detailed Definition
Eris, excluded from a wedding feast, tossed the golden apple of discord inscribed “to the fairest,” sparking the judgment of Paris and ultimately the Trojan War. In poetry, she embodies chaos, rivalry, and the destructive potential of envy and competition.
Example
Example in poetry:
Eris, goddess of discord, throws the golden apple inscribed “to the fairest” in the Cypria (Epic Cycle); In Hesiod’s Works and Days, Eris has two forms: one harmful, one beneficial; Ovid alludes to Eris as the spark of the Trojan War; Virgil references her in Aeneid as “baleful Strife”; Romantic poets use Eris to symbolize chaotic inspiration; Modern verse employs Eris to explore conflict as a creative force.
Additional Notes
Eris, goddess of strife, sparked the Trojan War by tossing the Apple of Discord (“for the fairest”)—her role highlights how minor provocations escalate into catastrophe; Hesiod distinguishes her as both destructive and productive (rivalry that spurs excellence)—useful in poetry about conflict origins or competitive dynamics.
Also Known As
Goddess of Strife Discordia Apple-Bearer
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