Helen of Troy
Helen of Troy has always been looked upon as the classic beauty in Greek mythology. She is “the face that launched a thousand ships”( Roman and Greek Mythology A to Z ). Helen is the daughter of Zeus and Leda , Zeus came to Leda and mated with her disguised as a swan and Helen was born from an egg. She was the sister of Castor, Polydeuces and Clytemnestra; Wife of Menelaus; lover to Paris and the reason of the Trojan War. It is noted that Helen is the daughter of Tyndareus and Zeus because Leda was believed to have had intercourse with Tyndareus and Zeus the night Helen was conceived. When Helen was around seven years of age , Athenians ; Thesus and Pirithous thought that since they were both sons of gods they both should have divine wives. They pledged to help each other abduct the two daughters of Zeus. “ Thesus chose Helen and took her and left her with his mother, Aretha. Helen's abduction caused an invasion of Athens by Castor and Pollux, who captured Aethra in revenge, and brought back their sister to Sparta. “ ( Wikipedia.com) Later in life “when it was time for Helen to marry, many kings and princes from around the world came to ask for her hand. Bringing rich gifts with them, or sent Brothers or emissaries to do so for them” During the contest, Castor and Pollux had a prominent role in dealing with the suitors, although the final decision was in the hands of Tyndareus. Menelaus did not come but sent his brother, Agamemnon to represent him and put him in the running. Odysseus said that before the decision was made all the suitors should swear an oath to defend the chosen husband against whoever should fight with him. After the suitors had sworn to defend, Menelaus was chosen to be Helen's husband and she would rule with him by her side. Little did she know someone was going to pay her a visit. Paris was a Trojan prince and he had been chosen by Zeus to be with the most beautiful goddess. In order to earn paris favor, Aphrodite promised