Composed at the request of percussionist Beverley Johnston, Hatzis' spouse, Eris is a meditation on the Greek myth of the Judgement of Paris. Paris, the Prince of Troy, was asked to choose from among three goddesses: Hera, the Queen of the Olympian gods and protector of home and family; Athena, the goddess of acquired knowledge who is often depicted as a warrior with helmet and shield, and Aphrodite, the temptress goddess of sexual attraction. As a prize, Paris was to hand to the goddess of his choice the golden apple which Hercules had stolen from the island of Hesperides in a previous era.