LEDA (daughter of Thestius in Greek mythology)
Figure of myth · daughter of Thestius in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Thestius, Deidamia
- Siblings
- Althaea
- Consorts
- Zeus, Tyndareus
- Children
- Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux, Pollux, Timandra, Phoebe, Castor
- Haunts and cult places
- Taygetus
- In the sources
- 53 ancient passages
Leda, the beautiful daughter of Thestius and Eurythemis, stood as a woman of striking beauty in antiquity, known for her neat ankles.1,2,3,4,5 She was the sister of Althaea, Hypermnestra, Iphiclus, Evippus, Plexippus, and Eurypylus, while other accounts name Thetius as her father.1,6,7 Now reported to be dead, she resides in the underworld among other deceased beauties.3,2
The swan fled from an eagle during this encounter, leading to the conception of Helen, who was born to Zeus.8,9,10,11,12 In some versions, Leda kept an egg found by a shepherd in a chest, from which Helen hatched, and she raised the child as her own daughter.13,14 The Greeks say Nemesis was Helen's mother, while Leda suckled and nursed her, treating the infant with maternal care.15
Leda married Tyndareus, with whom she was the mother of Phylonoe and the sons Castor and Polydeuces.16,17,18,19 She gave birth to Polydeuces and Castor simultaneously within the house of Tyndareus, beneath the peak of Taygetus.20,12,21,5 Pollux, fathered by Zeus, was also born to Leda, and she sent her sons to guide swift-footed steeds from Sparta.13,22,20 She did not prevent her sons from departing, and her thoughts were considered worthy of Zeus's bride.20
Leda was also the mother of Clytemnestra and Phoebe, and she raised Orestes as if he were the son of Agamemnon, treating him with the same honor as the Dioscuri.23,24,25,26 When Helen was abducted, Leda invoked the heavenly powers and her own Zeus, suffering intense anguish due to the disgrace associated with her daughter.12,27 The pain of this disgrace drove her to attempt to end her life by hanging herself.2,27
A famous egg claimed to have been brought forth by Leda is displayed in the sanctuary, a relic of her divine union.28 Though she is reported to be dead, her memory endures in the myths of Lacedaemon, where she is remembered as the mother of Helen.2,29,30
The codex facts behind this entry
Clytemnestra is identified as the daughter of Leda. Euripides, Iphigenia Among the Tauri 203-235 +3 Leda is identified as a daughter of Thestius and Eurythemis. Apollodorus 1.7.10 +3 Leda is identified as a beautiful woman of antiquity. Lucian, Dialogues of the Dead 18 ¶1 +1
In the myths
Zeus transformed himself into a swan to deceive and impregnate Leda, fathering Helen. Euripides, Helen 1-30 +5 Leda attempted to end her life by hanging herself. Euripides, Helen 115-163 +1 Leda gave birth to Polydeuces and Castor simultaneously. Argonautica 1 ¶24 +1 Leda is said to have given birth to Helen for Zeus. Euripides, Helen 253-292 +1 According to some accounts, Leda kept an egg found by a shepherd in a chest. Apollodorus 3.10.7 +1
