HELEN (daughter of Zeus in Greek mythology)
Figure of myth · daughter of Zeus in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Zeus, Leda
- Siblings
- Clytemnestra, Pollux, Castor
- Consorts
- Achilles, Paris, Menelaus, Theseus, Deiphobus, Idas, Lynceus, Enarephoros, Corythus, Theoclymenus
- Children
- Hermione, Iphigenia, Nicostratus, Euphorion, Morraphius, Idaeus, Pleisthenes, Bunicus, Aganus, Aethiolas, Corythus, Thronius and 1 more
- Haunts and cult places
- Sparta, Troy
- In the sources
- 338 ancient passages
Helen, daughter of Zeus and Leda, was renowned as the fairest of all women, her rich, bright hair and divine beauty comparing her to the goddesses Aphrodite and Diana.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 A native of Sparta, she was raised by Leda, who suckled and nursed her, though accounts also claim Tyndareus and Nemesis as her parents.12,13,14,15,16,17,3,18,19,20 Despite being called the source of strife, she possessed a noble mind and the ability to interpret omens placed in her heart by heaven.17,21
Tyndareus, her father in many accounts, selected Menelaus as her bridegroom from among her suitors, requiring them all to swear an oath to defend her future husband if she was wronged.22,23,24,3 She lived in Sparta with Menelaus, where she was accompanied by four maidens and barbarian attendants responsible for mirrors and perfumes, and worked on large webs of purple linen using a silver work-box.25,26,27,28,29,11,30,31
Paris, also known as Alexandrus, came to Sparta to take Helen in marriage, a union caused by Aphrodite who promised him Helen as a reward for choosing her.32,33,34,35,36,15 Paris carried off Helen, causing great destruction among Greeks and Barbarians, and the couple loaded significant treasures onto their ship before departing at night for Troy.37,38,39,34
The war fought for her led to the overthrow of Atreus' house and the death of many Achaeans far from home, including Odysseus who fought for nine years on her behalf.40,41,42,43,44,45 Helen bore Menelaus a daughter named Hermione and a son named Nicostratus, and later gave Hermione tresses of her own hair for a ritual.46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53 During the conflict, she was described as trembling with shame and misgiving, blaming her beauty for her troubles and wishing for a plainer form.54,55,56
Menelaus eventually reunited with Helen, dragging her away from Troy and bringing her back to the Greek ships, where he considered her his wife.57,58,16,59,60,61,62 After the war, Helen was destined to serve as a guardian of the sea and a savior to mariners, having learned various expedients from philosophers in Egypt.63,64,2 She remained a figure of complex nature, capable of drugging wine with herbs that banish sorrow, yet viewed by some as the cause of many evils for the Hellenes.65,66,67,2
The codex facts behind this entry
Helen is the daughter of Zeus and Leda. Aeneid 7.341 part 1 +19 Helen is the daughter of Tyndareus. Euripides, Hecuba 251-298 +11 Helen is identified as the wife of Menelaus who was stolen from his house. Euripides, The Trojan Women 860-894 +1
Appearance
Helen was described as a lovely woman with marvellous, divine beauty, considered the fairest of all women. Apollodorus 3.10.7 +7 Helen was described as having rich, bright, and lovely hair. Pindar, Olympian 3 ¶1 +2
Powers
Helen will serve as a guardian of the sea and a savior to mariners. Euripides, Orestes 1625-1665 +1
In the myths
Helen's presence and beauty caused the destruction of Troy and the loss of many lives beneath its walls. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1455-1461 +7 Theseus abducted Helen from her home in Aphidna when she was too young to marry, an act that triggered a major military response and caused war to break out in Attica. Herodotus 2.118.2 +7 Tyndareus required all of Helen's suitors to swear an oath to defend her future husband if she was wronged. Apollodorus 3.10.9 +2 Helen bore a daughter named Hermione for Menelaus, who is identified as Pyrrhus's first wife and mourns Helen's fatal marriage while remaining unmarried. Euripides, Helen 666-697 +2 Aphrodite caused Helen to unite with Paris. Euripides, Helen 1107-1121 +2 Odysseus fought for nine years among the Trojans on her behalf. Athenaeus 13.20 +2 Helen is described as the cause of many evils for the Hellenes. Euripides, Electra 213-261 +2 Paris carried off Helen, causing great destruction among Greeks and Barbarians. Lucian, Dialogues of the Dead 18 ¶1 +2 Leda is said to have suckled, nursed, and raised Helen as her own daughter after hatching her. Apollodorus 3.10.7 +1 Theseus detained and hid Helen in Attica until he left for a marriage with Peirithous. Herodotus 9.73.2 +1
Worship
Men will honor Helen with libations and gifts as a goddess forever, sharing these offerings with the Dioskouroi. Euripides, Helen 1642-1687 +1
Fate
Helen and her wealth were destined to go to the victor of a single combat between Alexandrus and Menelaus. Iliad 3 ¶12 +4 Orestes wished he had killed Helen to end the pollution of Hellas, as her presence was predicted to bring him great mischief. Euripides, Orestes 1554-1597 +2 Alexandrus was promised marriage to Helen as a reward for choosing Aphrodite. Colluthus, The Rape of Helen ¶10 +2 Helen is destined to become a goddess and immortal. Euripides, Helen 1642-1687 +1
