Angrily Agamemnon obeyed and gave the daughter back to the father. But he was thirsty for compensation for his loss and so he demanded of Achilles his favorite slave, the beautiful Briseis. A bitter quarrel ensued between the two princes, who threatened to end in arms. But Pallas Athena managed to appease Achilles, and the wise Nestor could persuade him to hand over the beautiful slave. But in his grudge, he retired to his ships and vowed to no longer participate in the fighting.
He complained to his mother Thetis of his suffering, which promised him help. She begged Zeus to refuse victory to the Greeks until they realized what a great injustice they had done to Achilles. So all the luck of war waned from them since the radiant hero no longer fought at her side.
Seduced by a tempting dream Agamemnon wanted to finally turn the fate of the Greeks and end the unfortunate war in a decisive battle. Both armies were now facing the field as Hector finally jumped in front of the ranks of the Trojans to stop the battle. He offered the Greeks an offer to put an end to his long-standing quarrel: his brother Paris was ready to go to war with Menelaos in a divine duel. The winner should receive Helena with all treasures and be finished with the death of the vanquished the dispute. Menelaus accepted this offer.
Joyful excitement now seized everyone because they hoped that finally a quick decision would be brought about. The contract was sealed with solemn sacrifices. Odysseus on the part of the Greeks and Hector on the side of the Trojans were determined to be the folders of the duel. They walked down the battlefield and then threw two lots into the helmet to determine the beginning of the fight. Paris was the first litter.
Proud and in magnificent battle armor, the two stepped into the center of the battleground. Paris was the first to throw his spear, but it ricocheted off the iron-studded shield of the Menelaus. Then Menelaus threw his spear, which pierced the shield Paris and cut his robe. Then he attacked Paris with his sword and would surely have killed him if the weapon had not burst from his hard helmet. Now he grabbed the youth by the helmet and would certainly have wrestled him to the ground if the goddess Aphrodite had not come to the aid of her darling. Quickly she let the chin strap tear so that Menelaus only held the empty helmet in his hand. Then she wrapped him in a protective mist cloud and brought him safely back to the city.
