It is the underlying theme in the works of Greek literature. Mortals became instruments of the gods when convenient. The affairs of men were not always under the will of the gods, however, in some cases, the agenda of the gods allowed for involvement in human rule. By mating with mortals, the Olympians could produce children who were true to themselves and who would be stronger and better than ordinary mortals. The Hemitheoi, or demigods, were the fourth generation of mankind; the heroes of myth, those who fought at Troy or killed immortal beasts to save another (Zaidman 25). The Iliad, Homer's epic poem, describes the last two weeks of the ten-year battle between the Trojans and the Greeks, historically known as the Trojan War. While the poem mainly focuses on the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon, the use of different Greek deities replaced the purity of the war entanglements that change the pace of the battle. The story of the Trojan War begins with the story of the apple of discord, the golden apple. Hera, Athena and Aphrodite each believed they deserved this apple, as the most beautiful. Since the goddess could not decide between them and Zeus was not willing to suffer the wrath of the women of his family, the goddess appealed to Paris, prince of Troy. When asked to judge