Mythology Monday: Eris-Goddess, Mischief Maker and Virus

Hello! Happy Monday! (Is there such a thing?) I’m joking, I really do hope that you are having a very happy Monday. And yes I do believe it is possible to have a happy Monday 🙂

Just having moved cross country and not being even close to settled in, I’ve gotten really behind on my blogging. Sadly I haven’t done a Mythology Monday post in quite a while, which does make me sad because I really enjoy them! Mythology is one of my favorite subjects to write and read about, and I love learning about deities from around the world and the legends surrounding them.

Usually I have to search around a bit in order to find my subject for Mythology Monday, but this week I knew who my choice would be.
If you’ve been watching the news lately you’ve likely heard of Eris, the new sub-variant of the COVID-19 virus (a variant of Omicron).
As soon as I heard that this new sub-variant had been named Eris I knew that I wanted to write a post about this goddess and why her name is synonymous with conflict and discord. Mythology is often a source of names for many subjects ranging from science to household products to expressions we use in common speech, and in this case I think the name is definitely appropriate!

Eris, the daughter of Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Darkness), emerged from the very depths of primordial darkness. She embodies discord, strife, and disharmony – aspects of human experience that were acknowledged and respected by the ancient Greeks, despite their desire for order and tranquility. Eris’s presence in Greek mythology serves as a reminder that conflict and challenges are integral to the human condition. As a sister and close companion of the Greek God of War, Ares, Eris is known for her sheer craving for inflicting suffering upon others and her presence on mortal battlefields. She was known to linger at the scene of a battle long after the fighting was over, relishing the human suffering on display. Eris holds a unique place in ancient Greek tales as the catalyst behind the famed Trojan War, an event she directly helped set in motion.

Eris’s most renowned appearance in Greek mythology comes from the myth of the Golden Apple. At the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Eris arrived uninvited and threw a golden apple inscribed with the words “To the fairest” into the midst of the goddesses. This simple yet potent act set the stage for a rivalry between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite – each claiming the apple for herself. The dispute eventually led to the famous Judgment of Paris, where Paris, a mortal, was tasked with choosing the most beautiful goddess. This choice ignited a series of events that would culminate in the Trojan War.

Eris’s gift of the golden apple was the spark that ignited the powder keg of tensions brewing amongst the gods and goddesses. Paris’s decision to award the apple to Aphrodite, promising him the love of Helen of Troy, led to Helen’s abduction from Sparta by Paris. The Greek forces, united by their oath to protect Helen’s honor, set sail for Troy, thus commencing the decade-long conflict known as the Trojan War. In this way, Eris’s discord-generating actions indirectly led to one of the most famous wars in mythology.

Eris was known as the mother of the Kakodaimones, evil spirits responsible for many of mankind’s woes. These included Algea (pains) and Limos (starvation). She was said to be the goddess who was the last to settle an argument, the last to leave the battlefield, and the first to jump into a conflict.

In modern times, Eris’s influence can be seen in various cultural references. The name “Eris” was given to the planetoid responsible for shaking up traditional definitions of the solar system (Remember Pluto when it used to be classified as a planet? The discovery of the planetoid Eris helped set the chain of events in motion that would change Pluto’s planet status). Additionally, her portrayal in literature and popular media often serves as a catalyst for character development and plot twists, much like her role in ancient myths.

Overall, where Eris went, trouble followed. She was a chaotic goddess known for causing suffering and grief, and enjoying every second of it. Definitely an appropriate name for a virus.

What did you think about this goddess of strife? For me Eris is one of my least favorite goddesses, she is portrayed as very cruel and the stories about her from mythology revolve around human suffering and death. I was surprised reading some of these source texts just how bloodthirsty and infernal Eris was considered to be, and she was (at least indirectly) responsible for the Trojan War, a huge event in mythology. Not a goddess you’d want hanging around you for long!

I’m hoping that you’re having a great day, thank you very much for reading and joining me for Mythology Monday and we’ll talk soon!

-Winter