7 Interesting Facts About Eris, The Goddess or Personified Spirit

Eris was the goddess of discord and strife in Greek mythology. Her name means ‘strife’ or ‘conflict’ and her unending feud with her brother, Ares, the god of war, was the source of much trouble among both other gods and mankind.

Eris had a reputation for being vindictive and mean but that wasn't the whole story. In fact, there are many interesting facts about Eris that you might not know unless you read up on her. Read our article to find out more:

Eris was the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite.

Eris was the daughter of the goddess of love, Aphrodite and the god of war, Ares. Her brothers were either the war gods, Deimos and Phobos, or the death gods, Thanatos and Hypnos.

Her sister was the goddess of Justice, Adrestia. Eris was depicted as either a young woman or as an androgynous youth with a sword and a crown of thorns. She was accompanied by a pair of ravens.

She threw a golden apple inscribed with the word ‘Kallisti’ at a wedding party.

Eris threw a golden apple at a wedding party to stir up discord and jealousy among the goddesses. The apple was inscribed with the word ‘Kallisti’, which means ‘to the fairest one’.

Unfortunately, the apple was meant for Aphrodite, however, the goddess of wisdom, Athena, and the goddess of discord, Eris, both thought that the apple was meant for them and promptly began fighting over it.

When the other gods learnt of the reason for their fighting, they decided to settle the matter and eventually decided that the fairest goddess was, indeed, Aphrodite.

The wedding party was between Peleus and Thetis who, incidentally, became the parents to Achilles.

Her Roman counterpart was named Discordia.

Discordia, the Roman personification of chaos and strife, was the Roman equivalent of Eris. Like Eris, Discordia was depicted as an unkempt and androgynous youth.

She was often portrayed standing between two creatures that represented peace and war. The two groups of creatures were often depicted as snakes and geese, although sometimes they were bulls and lions instead.

She symbolized the unexpected and unwanted element of life.

Much like her Greek counterpart, Eris represented the discord and disharmony that exists among humankind. However, she also represented the unexpected and unwanted element that is a part of life.

Eris was often described as a force of nature that no one could control. During times of war, Eris would appear to show that God was on neither side and that He did not condone such violence.

She appears in many ancient texts, not just in Greek mythology.

Although Eris is most famous for stirring up the trouble at the wedding party of Peleus and Thetis, she appears in many other ancient texts as well. Her name is mentioned during the fall of Troy, when it is said that Eris brought a false report of the death of Achilles to stir up further fighting.

Later, Eris was also blamed for the fall of the city of Thebes when she brought word of a quarrel between two commanders. Eris was also present at the court of King Midas.

She was either Midas’s wife or his mistress and was said to be incredibly haughty. When she was made queen, Eris refused to sit on the royal throne and instead sat on the floor.

Her name is derived from the Ancient Greek verb, ῥίζα, which means “discord” or “strife”.

The Greek word ῥίζα, from which the name Eris is derived, can mean both ‘discord’ or ‘strife’.

When translated into Latin, the word becomes ‘discordia’; a word that would later be used to describe Eris’s Roman counterpart, Discordia. Eris’s name can also be translated as ‘rashness’, ‘impetuosity’ or ‘extreme boldness’.

So why is Eris a bad guy? Well… she isn't!

Eris is often depicted as an evil goddess bent on causing trouble, but that isn't the whole story. In fact, Eris was likely a personification of the natural forces of nature and a representation of the unexpected and unwanted elements of life.

The ancient Greeks used Eris to symbolise the discord and disharmony that exists among humankind. She also symbolised the unexpected and unwanted element that is a part of life.

Through Eris, the ancients hoped to remind us to remain humble and to keep an open mind towards others, no matter how different they may be from us.

Conclusion

Although Eris may seem like she is just causing trouble, she is actually reminding us to remain humble and to keep an open mind towards others, no matter how different they may be from us.

If only we could see through her mischief and understand her true nature, we would see that Eris is actually a kind goddess who is important to our existence.