Why is Helen important to Greek mythology?
Helen of Troy, Greek Helene, in Greek legend, the most beautiful woman of Greece and the indirect cause of the Trojan War. She was daughter of Zeus, either by Leda or by Nemesis, and sister of the Dioscuri. As a young girl, she was carried off by Theseus, but she was rescued by her brothers.
Why is Helen of Troy important?
In Greek mythology , Helen of Troy was the most beautiful woman in the world. A daughter of the god Zeus (pronounced ZOOS), she is best known for the part she played in causing the Trojan War, a story told by Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Who is goddess Helena?
Actually, Helen (also called Helena) is not always considered a goddess. She is usually regarded as a daughter of mortal queen Leda. Her father was god Zeus in the form of a swan, but she was adopted by king of Sparta Tyndareus. Alternate versions of the myth exist.
Why did Paris abduct Helen?
Aphrodite offered the love of the most beautiful woman on Earth: Helen of Sparta. Helen was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta (a fact Aphrodite neglected to mention), so Paris had to raid Menelaus’s house to steal Helen from him—according to some accounts, she fell in love with Paris and left willingly.
Why was Helen of Troy kidnapped?
In her youth, she was abducted by Theseus. A competition between her suitors for her hand in marriage saw Menelaus emerge victorious. All of her suitors were required to swear an oath (known as the Oath of Tyndareus) promising to provide military assistance to the winning suitor, if Helen were ever stolen from him.
Is Helen of Troy Zeus daughter?
Helen was the immortal daughter of the god Zeus (Jupiter) and the mortal Leda, Queen of Sparta. Zeus, lusting after Leda, ravished her in the form of a swan. She later gave birth to Helen and her brother Polydeuces (Pollux), fathered by Zeus, and Castor and Clytemnestra, fathered by her husband Tyndareus.
Why did Helen betray Troy?
The usual tradition is that after the goddess Aphrodite promised her to Paris in the Judgement of Paris, she was seduced by him and carried off to Troy. This resulted in the Trojan War when the Achaeans set out to reclaim her.
Is Helena a good name?
Helena Origin and Meaning The name Helena is a girl’s name of Greek origin meaning “torch; shining light”. Helena is a recommended girls’ name for those who find the classic version a bit bland. HELL-ehn-a is the best modern pronunciation for Helena, but hell-AYN-a or even hell-EEN-a work too.