About Helen     Helen, the most beautiful of women, was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, the sister of Castor and Pollux.  When still very young, she was carried off by Theseus and Pirithous, who drew lots for her possession, Theseus wins.  Castor and Pollux, learning where she is concealed, invade Attica, rescue her, and return her to the home of Tyndareus and Leda.  There she is suited by the foremost leaders of the Greeks.  After binding them by oath to support the one she should select, she marries Menelaus.
    Paris was son of king Priam of Troy and was promised the most beautiful woman in the world as a reward for rendering his decision in Aphrodite's favor at the contest for beauty (the Golden Apple).  Paris gets Helen to elope with him as his wife, and takes her to Troy.  The Greek leaders, who were bound by the oath they made, conspire together to avenge this wrong, and the Trojan War is the result.  After Troy is taken, she and Menelaus become reconciled, and she sets sail with him for Sparta.  When they reach home they live happily for many years. Back to Family Tree Back to Literature Index