HELLE (greek mythology character)
Figure of myth · Greek mythology character
Helle fled from Greece with her brother to escape their stepmother's plots.3 This ram, a gift from Nephele, was sent by Zeus to rescue Helle from a scheduled sacrifice by her father at Mount Laphystius.6,7 Nephele carried Helle and Phrixus through the sky on a golden-fleeced ram from Europe to Asia.1,3
While crossing between Sigeum and the Chersonese, Helle fell into the sea and drowned.1,8 Some accounts state that she fell overboard due to sea sickness while leaning out, overwhelmed by a dark wave.3,8 Phrixus was left alone after her death, continuing the journey without his sister.4
The narrow sea where she drowned was named the Hellespont in her memory, a monument to her fate.1,3,9 A Nereid now holds sway over these waves, which are not propitious to tender maids.10,5 Her tomb was situated on the right side of the army's route through the Chersonese.11 In the codex relations, Helle is listed with Poseidon as a consort, and Paeon and Almops as her children.
The codex facts behind this entry
Helle was the daughter of Athamas and Nephele. Apollodorus 1.9.1 +1
In the myths
Nephele carried Helle and Phrixus through the sky on a golden-fleeced ram from Europe to Asia. Apollodorus 1.9.1 +4 Helle was scheduled to be sacrificed by her father Athamas at Mount Laphystius. Pausanias 9.34.5 Zeus sent a golden-fleeced ram to rescue Helle from the impending sacrifice. Pausanias 9.34.5 Helle fled from Greece with her brother to escape their stepmother's plots. Diodorus 4.47 Some accounts state Helle fell overboard due to sea sickness while leaning out. Diodorus 4.47 The dark wave overwhelmed Helle during her death. Argonautica 1 ¶41 Phrixus was left alone after Helle's death. Seneca, Troades act 4 ¶8
Fate
Helle fell into the sea and drowned while crossing between Sigeum and the Chersonese. Apollodorus 1.9.1 +5 The sea was named after Helle as a monument to her fate. Ovid, Heroides 18.137
