Which goddess saved Paris from being killed by Menelaus?

Which goddess saved Paris from being killed by Menelaus? Aphrodite. During their duel in the Iliad, Aphrodite rescues Paris after Menelaus defeats him and is about to deliver the killing blow.

The duel was meant to settle the conflict between Paris and Menelaus and perhaps end the Trojan War. Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta and Helen’s husband, quickly gains the advantage in hand-to-hand combat. Paris is dragged down and nearly killed, but Aphrodite breaks the strap of Menelaus’ sword and uses a mist to hide Paris from view.

She then carries Paris safely back to his bedroom in Troy. Aphrodite’s intervention reflects her special relationship with Paris: during the Judgment of Paris, he awarded her the golden apple after she promised him the love of the world’s most beautiful woman, Helen.

A common mistake is to credit Athena, Hera, or Artemis. Hera and Athena were hostile to Paris because they lost the beauty contest, while Athena favored the Greeks. Aphrodite alone protects him during this episode, even though Homer portrays Paris as a less courageous warrior than Hector.