Paris lays down a challenge

On the shore the Greeks set up a camp as big as a city, as the Trojans look on. Finally the Greek army comes out of its camp, thousands of men ready for war. The Trojan army comes out of the city and the two armies face each other.

Paris, the cause of the fighting, offers to fight any Greek in hand-to-hand combat. Menelaus himself, the husband of Helen. takes up the challenge. Paris, afraid, is spurred on by his brother, Hector, the leader of the Trojan army. Paris and Menelaus face each other — whoever wins will win the war and keep Helen for himself without the need for further bloodshed. The war may be about to end.

Aphrodite to the rescue

Paris and Menelaus fight. Menelaus gets the upper hand — but Paris magically disappears. He has been rescued by Aphrodite, his protector. Aphrodite spirits Paris back to his bed to recover; Helen attends to him.

Hostilities resume

On the battlefield, everyone is amazed by Paris’ disappearance. Hector, the leader of the Trojan army, declares that Menelaus has won: Helen will be returned to him and the Greeks will go home. The war is about to end. BUT Athene has not had her revenge on Paris for failing to choose her as the most beautiful goddess — Paris is still alive and Troy is still standing. They must both fall before the war can end. Athene restarts the war by persuading a Trojan archer to shoot an arrow at Menelaus. War breaks out again. Stalemate follows. the Greeks cannot destroy the strong walls and gates of Troy, and the Trojans cannot beat the mighty Greek army with Achilles out on the plain.