Events leading up to the Trojan War

Events leading to the Trojan War The Epic Cycle and the Cypria (Proclus summary in Anthology, pp. 378-379 Helen and oath of the suitors sworn to Tyndareus Zeus’ plan. Wedding of Peleus (mortal) and Thetis (sea goddess), Eris (“Strife”) and the apple of discord. Why does Zeus arrange this marriage? Judgment of Paris (comic treatment of this myth by Lucian: Anthology pp. 288-293) Abduction of Helen from Menelaus by Paris (alternate version in Herodotus and others: Helen was left in Egypt for the duration of the war: Anthology pp. 125-128.) Sacrifice of Iphigeneia, daughter of Agamemnon, at Aulis

The Judgement of Paris. Athenian red figure kylix cup. c. 490-480 BCE The Judgement of Paris. Athenian red figure kylix cup.c. 490-480 BCE. Attributed to Makron

Peter-Paul Rubens. The Judgement of Paris. 1639. Prado, Madrid.

Eleanor Antin. Judgement of Paris (after Rubens) — Light Helen, 2007 From the series "Helen's Odyssey"

Figure of Helen Etymology? Name may be related to the Greek word for sun (helios). [Cf. genealogy of Medea and Circe] Folk etymology with root hel- (“take, destroy”) in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon: “ship-destroyer, man/husband-destroyer, city-destroyer”: helenaus, helandros, heleptolis. Significance of these etymologies? Status: only female offspring of Zeus by a mortal woman (see birth stories) Helen is worshipped as goddess (not just heroine) in Sparta and on Rhodes. Mother? See birth stories, implications of Nemesis connection. Paragon of female beauty: the most beautiful woman in the world, recognized by all as such. What does this mean? UW Classics Prof. Ruby Blondell (Helen of Troy: Beauty, Myth, Devastation): “Helen is simultaneously the supreme object of men’s desire and the instrument, or agent, of their destruction.” connected to the Dioskouroi (brothers Castor and Polydeuces) much sought in marriage, conflict over whom she marries. Epithet used of her by Aeschylus: polyandros “of many men/husbands” subject of abductions (Who else abducts her?) Question of responsibility and consent in abduction Oath of suitors administered by Tyndareus

Genealogy of Helen Leda/Nemesis=Tyndareus/Zeus | Helen Castor and Polydeuces Clytemnestra

One version of Helen’s birth Zeus falls in love with the goddess Nemesis. To escape she tries every possible animal disguise - but he is ahead of her with a swifter or more aggressive beast every time. At last she decides to fly away, and becomes a goose - but he becomes a swan, and finally meets with Nemesis at Rhamnous in NW Attica (Athenian territory). What are the ramifications of this version? Nemesis accepts the inevitable and in due course produces an egg, which she lays in a marsh near Sparta. Leda finds it and brings it home and keeps it safe until it hatches. Or - according to others - the egg is craftily secreted between Leda's thighs by Hermes. Or it drops from the moon. Or a shepherd finds it in the woods and brings it to the queen, who keeps it in a box until Helen hatches out. Leda then brings her up as her own daughter. What are the implications of having the goddess Nemesis “Indignation/”Revenge”/”Anger” as Helen’s mother? Rhamnous : you can visit the remains of the great temple of Nemesis, her cult statue smashed to smithereens by ancient vandals is being painstakingly restored).

Another version of Helen’s birth Zeus disguised as swan, has sex with Leda - on the same night as does her husband Tyndareus, king of Sparta. Where have we seen this before? She produces an egg - which contains Helen and Polydeuces (children of Zeus) and a child Castor (son of Tyndareus). Other versions have 2 eggs – one from Zeus as before, but also one belonging to Tyndareus, which contains Castor and in some accounts Clytemnestra. Helen is always called the daughter of Zeus - unless someone is trying to insult her. Her brothers are called the Dioskouroi [Latin version Dioscuri] – lit. “Zeus’ boys/young men”. Homer, Odyssey Book 11 and problems of having an immortal sibling - Polydeuces (Pollux in Latin) shares his immortality with his brother on alternate days, but they can never meet. Clytemnestra is always "daughter of Tyndareus", and her origin in an egg is seldom referred to.

Leda, Zeus as swan, Hypnos (god of sleep) and Peitho (goddess of persuasion) Apulian loutrophoros, 350-340 BCE

Zeus and Leda Relief, 2nd century CE

Comic take on birth of Helen from egg Comic take on birth of Helen from egg. Tyndareus splits open Helen’s egg, Leda looks on from house.Phlyax vase, Athenian red figure, c. 4th c. BCE

The question of Helen’ responsibility in myth No source claims that Helen was forced to go with Paris A few versions exonerate her: Tyndareus neglected to sacrifice to Aphrodite and to punish him the goddess made his daughters (Helen and Clytemnestra) promiscuous. Some use a different tactic: Helen never went to Troy at all (cf. version in Herodotus), Paris takes a fake Helen, her “likeness”. Hermes transports the real Helen to Egypt Look out for Helen in the Iliad and in the Odyssey and compare their treatment

Abduction of Helen by Paris. Athenian red figure krater c. 450 BCE

Close-up of previous image

Stesichorus, the Palinode [lit Stesichorus, the Palinode [lit. “recanting”] (Greek poet, 7th century BCE?) “That was not a true tale; You did not sail in the well-benched ships, Nor did you come to the towers of Troy.” Story that Stesichorus goes blind after telling the generally known tale about Helen. His sight is restored once he composes the Palinode.