Helen in the Ancient Sources: 117 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (2)

Hesiod, Fragments 1.68The suitors of HelenThe best-preserved passage of the Catalogue lists the heroes who came to woo Helen, each with his gifts, from Philoctetes and the sons of Amphiaraus to Odysseus, Menestheus, Aias and Idomeneus. Tyndareus sends none away and receives no gift, and the passage ends with the birth of Hermione.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.61–67Asclepius, Echemus and the TyndaridsThe section begins with Serus and Alazygus and then discusses whether Asclepius was the son of Arsinoe or of Coronis. It goes on to Echemus and Timandra, and to the descent of Castor and Polydeuces and the story that Tyndareus forgot Aphrodite in a sacrifice.

Homer (11)

Homer, Iliad 3.111–244Helen on the wall of TroyIris, in the likeness of Laodice, calls Helen to the wall, where she goes with two handmaids and joins Priam and the old men at the Scaean gates. Priam asks her to name the Achaean leaders, and Helen points out Agamemnon, Odysseus and Ajax, and looks in vain for her brothers. Antenor recalls the time when Odysseus and Menelaus came to Troy as envoys.
Homer, Odyssey 15.92–181Menelaus' gifts; the omen of the eagleMenelaus prepares a feast, and Helen brings out a robe of her own weaving as a keepsake for Telemachus' bride. As he prepares to go, Menelaus gives him a mixing-bowl and cup. An eagle flies by on the right, carrying a white goose from the farmyard, and Helen interprets the omen as meaning that Odysseus will come home and take vengeance.
Homer, Iliad 3.383–461Aphrodite brings Helen to ParisAphrodite sets Paris in his fragrant chamber and, in the likeness of an old woman, summons Helen, who knows the goddess by her neck, breasts and eyes and reproaches her. Helen obeys when the goddess threatens her, speaks scornfully to Paris, and then goes to bed with him. Menelaus ranges through the host looking for Paris, and Agamemnon declares that the victory is Menelaus's and demands Helen and the treasure.
Homer, Odyssey 4.113–232Helen recognises TelemachusTelemachus weeps for his father at Menelaus' words, and Menelaus wonders who the young man is. Helen comes in with her maids and says that she has never seen such a likeness to Odysseus' son, and Peisistratus tells them that this is Telemachus. To quiet their grief, Helen drops into the wine a drug that brings forgetfulness of pain, which she had from the Egyptian woman Polydamna.
Homer, Iliad 6.237–368Hector in Troy: Hecuba, Athena's temple, Paris and HelenHector reaches the Scaean gates, where the Trojan women ask for their sons and husbands, and goes on to Priam's house, where Hecuba offers him wine. He tells her to gather the older women and lay the finest robe on the knees of Athena, and Theano the priestess prays for Diomedes' fall, but Athena denies the prayer. Hector then goes to Paris, rebukes him, and refuses Helen's offer to sit, since he wants to see his own household.
Homer, Iliad 7.313–432Antenor urges Helen's return; the burial truceAt the Achaean feast Nestor proposes that they burn their dead and build a wall and ditch to protect the ships. At Troy, Antenor urges the Trojans to give back Helen, but Paris will give up only the treasure. Priam sends the herald Idaeus to offer that and to ask for a truce, and the Achaeans refuse Helen's return but agree to the truce, and both sides gather their dead.
Homer, Iliad 3.245–382The oaths and the duel of Menelaus and ParisHeralds bring lambs and wine for the oaths, and Priam drives down to swear with Agamemnon, who prays to Zeus that the brains of whoever breaks the oath be poured out like the wine. Priam returns to Ilios, and the lots, cast by Hector and Odysseus, give Paris the first throw. Menelaus breaks his sword and drags Paris by the helmet strap, but Aphrodite breaks the strap and snatches Paris away in a mist.
Homer, Odyssey 4.233–305Helen and Menelaus tell of Odysseus at TroyHelen tells how she recognised Odysseus when he came into Troy disguised as a beggar. Menelaus tells how Odysseus held back his companions inside the wooden horse when Helen called to them in the voices of their wives. They go to bed in the porch.
Homer, Iliad 3.1–110The armies advance; Hector shames ParisThe Trojans advance with a clamour like cranes, while the Achaeans march in silence. Paris steps out and challenges the best of the Achaeans, but shrinks back when he sees Menelaus, and Hector rebukes him until he offers to fight Menelaus alone for Helen and the treasure. Hector halts the Trojan ranks, and Menelaus accepts the challenge and asks that Priam come to swear the oaths.
Homer, Iliad 2.102–210Agamemnon tests the armyAt the assembly Agamemnon holds the sceptre of Zeus and tells the Achaeans that Zeus has deceived him and that they must flee home, though he means to try them. The army surges toward the ships like waves, and the ships are already being dragged down when Hera sends Athena to Odysseus. He takes Agamemnon's sceptre, checks the chiefs and sends the men back to the assembly.
Homer, Iliad 24.677–804Hermes wakes Priam; Hector's funeralIn the night Hermes wakes Priam and warns him to leave before the Achaeans find him, and guides the wagon back across the river. Cassandra, from the citadel, is first to see them and cries to the city to come out and see Hector. The body is laid on a bed in the hall and Andromache, Hecuba and Helen each take up the lament. After nine days of gathering wood Hector is burned, the bones are put in a golden chest and a mound is raised, and the poem ends with a feast in Priam's house.

Apollodorus (3)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.10.1–9Hermes, Asclepius, Leda and the suitors of HelenThe Pleiades are named, and Maia bears Hermes to Zeus, who steals Apollo's cattle, invents the lyre and trades it for the cattle and the art of divination. The line of Taygete and Lacedaemon leads to Hyacinth, to Asclepius, son of Apollo and Coronis, whom Zeus strikes with a thunderbolt for raising the dead, and to Tyndareus and Icarius. Zeus, as a swan, lies with Leda, who bears Helen and the Dioscuri (or, in another version, Nemesis lays Helen's egg), and Theseus carries Helen off. The kings of Greece court Helen, and Tyndareus, on Odysseus's advice, binds them by an oath to defend the chosen husband.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.3.1–35Paris and Helen; the muster at Aulis and the landing at TroyParis judges the contest of the three goddesses, carries off Helen, and Menelaus and Agamemnon call the Greek kings to arms; Odysseus's feigned madness is exposed and Palamedes is framed. The section gives the catalogue of the Greek fleet at Aulis, the omen of the snake and sparrows, the failed first landing in Mysia and the healing of Telephus, and the sacrifice of Iphigenia. After Tenedos and the abandonment of Philoctetes, Protesilaus is the first to die at Troy, Achilles takes many nearby cities, and the Trojan allies are listed.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.11.1–2Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri) and the children of MenelausMenelaus has Hermione by Helen and sons by other women. Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, carry off the daughters of Leucippus, and a quarrel over a cattle raid with Idas and Lynceus ends with Castor killed, Lynceus and Idas dead, and Pollux taken up by Zeus. Pollux refuses immortality without his brother, so they share their time between gods and mortals, and Menelaus inherits the kingdom of Sparta.

Pindar (1)

Pindar, Olympian Odes 3.1–45Olympian 3: for Theron — Heracles and the olive treePindar prays to the Dioscuri and to Helen as he honours Theron of Acragas, victor in the chariot race, and links his crown to the olive of Olympia. He tells how Heracles, who had set up the games, brought the olive from the land of the Hyperboreans and the Ister to shade the bare precinct of Pelops, after chasing the golden-horned hind for Eurystheus. He ends by saying that Theron's prowess has reached the pillars of Heracles, beyond which none can go.

Aeschylus (3)

Aeschylus, Agamemnon 681–809Second stasimon: Helen, the lion cub and HubrisThe Chorus ask what spirit gave Helen her name, which they take to mean ruin of ships, men and cities. They tell of a man who brought up a lion cub in his house, which was gentle at first but later showed its nature, and compare it to Helen. They say that it is not wealth but the impious act that brings ruin, and that Justice honours the poor man's house; in the last lines the Chorus leader begins to greet the returning king.
Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1448–1576Kommos: the lament for Agamemnon and the Fiend of the houseThe Chorus mourn the king and blame Helen for the deaths at Troy, and Clytaemestra says that the Fiend of the house, which has fed on the family of Tantalus, has done the deed through her. The elders ask who will bury Agamemnon, and she says that she will not allow them to mourn him, and that Iphigenia will meet him at the river of sorrows. The Chorus say that they are in doubt, and that the blow will be repaid with a blow.
Aeschylus, Agamemnon 355–474First stasimon: Zeus, Paris and HelenThe Chorus thank Zeus and Night for the net in which Troy was caught, and say that Zeus punishes those who offend against the laws of hospitality, as Paris did. They sing of Helen's flight, the grief that she left behind in the house of Menelaus, and the ashes of the war dead returned from Troy. They end with the anger of the people against the sons of Atreus and their own fear of excessive glory.

Euripides (71)

Euripides, Helen 68–141First episode: Teucer arrives and brings news of Troy and LedaTeucer arrives at the palace and, seeing Helen, curses her likeness to the woman who ruined the Greeks. Helen questions him, and he tells of his exile from Salamis after the death of his brother Aias, and of the sack of Troy. He says that Menelaus is reported dead, that Leda hanged herself, and that the Dioscuri are said to be both dead and gods.
Euripides, Helen 553–596Fourth episode: Menelaus and Helen fail to recognize each otherMenelaus and Helen marvel at their likeness to those they love, and Helen claims him as her husband. He refuses to believe her, since his wife is hidden in the cave. She tells him that the Helen at Troy was a phantom made by Hera, but he leaves, saying that he will not be persuaded by her, and she cries out in despair.
Euripides, Helen 1165–1229Sixth episode: Theoclymenus returns and is told that Menelaus is deadTheoclymenus greets his father's tomb and asks why Helen has left it and put on black. Helen tells him that Menelaus is dead, and that the stranger at the tomb was a witness to it. Theoclymenus questions Menelaus about his fate and the ship, and Helen says that the phantom has vanished into the air.
Euripides, Helen 761–807Fourth episode: Menelaus' seven years at sea; Helen warns him of the kingHelen asks how Menelaus escaped from Troy, and he says that he spent seven years sailing after the ten at Troy. She warns him to flee, since Theoclymenus lives here and wishes to marry her. Helen tells him that she has kept herself untouched and has taken refuge at the tomb.
Euripides, Helen 625–693Fourth episode: Helen and Menelaus are reunitedHelen and Menelaus embrace and rejoice, and the Chorus prays for their happiness. Menelaus asks how she was taken from his home, and Helen tells how Hera sent her to Egypt in revenge for the judgment of Paris. She tells of her mother's hanging, and of their daughter Hermione's unmarried state.
Euripides, Helen 808–841Fourth episode: Helen and Menelaus plan to win over TheonoeMenelaus refuses to flee without his wife, and Helen says that the only hope is that Theoclymenus should not learn of his arrival. She says that Theonoe knows everything and will tell her brother, and proposes to supplicate her. They swear to die together if Theonoe refuses.
Euripides, Orestes 71–135Prologue: Helen asks Electra to take offerings to Clytemnestra's tombHelen, newly arrived from Troy, asks Electra how she and her brother fare. She asks Electra to take offerings to Clytemnestra's tomb, but Electra refuses, and Helen sends her daughter Hermione instead. Electra says to the Chorus that Helen has not changed, and has been the ruin of her family.
Euripides, Helen 1030–1084Fifth episode: Helen and Menelaus devise the false-death planThe Chorus Leader says that lawlessness never prospers, and Helen turns to Menelaus to plan their escape. They reject killing the king or taking a chariot, and Helen proposes to say that Menelaus is dead. She will ask Theoclymenus for a ship in which to give him a funeral at sea, and Menelaus will act as the survivor who brings the news.
Euripides, Helen 306–385Second episode: the Chorus tells Helen to ask Theonoe about MenelausThe Chorus Leader tells Helen that the stranger may not have told the whole truth, and advises her to go in and ask Theonoe whether her husband is alive. Helen goes, swearing by the Eurotas that she will kill herself if he is dead, and the Chorus bids her take a brighter view. Left alone, Helen laments Troy's ruin and compares herself with Callisto and the daughter of Merops.
Euripides, Helen 1369–1428Seventh episode: Helen secures a Sidonian ship for the funeralHelen tells the Chorus that Theonoe has kept silent, and that Menelaus is armed and dressed for the voyage. Theoclymenus asks Helen to stay behind, but she says that she must perform the rites herself. He orders a Sidonian ship of fifty oars and tells the sailors to obey the stranger.
Euripides, Helen 1230–1277Sixth episode: Helen asks for a funeral at seaHelen offers to make peace with Theoclymenus and asks to perform a funeral for her husband, though there is no body to bury. She explains that in Greece the dead lost at sea are honored with offerings let down into the sea. Menelaus, as the stranger, lists what is required: a blood-offering, a couch, bronze arms and a ship with rowers.
Euripides, Orestes 1353–1425The Phrygian slave: his escape and his account beginsThe Chorus calls on the people to raise a din before the house, and recalls the retribution that has come to Helen. A Phrygian slave of Helen escapes over the roof beams, and laments for Ilium. He begins to tell how Orestes and Pylades entered the house as suppliants with swords hidden.

59 more passages of Euripides that name Helen

Theocritus (2)

Theocritus, Idylls 18.1–58Idyll 18: Helen's wedding songTwelve Spartan maidens sing outside the bridal chamber on the wedding night of Helen and Menelaus. They praise Helen, tease Menelaus for sleeping too early, and wish the pair children and lasting happiness. They promise to return at dawn and sing again.
Theocritus, Idylls 27.1–44aIdyll 27: Daphnis and the maidenA neatherd named Daphnis wins a girl by a quick dialogue in which she refuses and then gives way, so that she goes in as a maiden and comes out a wife. The two lie together, and each goes back contented to their flocks.

Aristophanes (1)

Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae 846–1000Episode: the Helen parody and a choral hymnLeft under the guard of the woman Critylla, Mnesilochus decides to act the part of Helen from Euripides' Helen, and Euripides arrives as Menelaus. Critylla sees through the performance and drives Euripides off, and a Policeman has Mnesilochus tied to a plank under the guard of a Scythian archer. The chorus then sing a hymn to the gods of the festival.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.59.1–4.63.5TheseusThe historian tells of Theseus' birth at Troezen and his labours against the robbers on the road to Athens, then of the Minotaur: Minos' war over the death of Androgeos, the tribute of youths, Ariadne's help, and Theseus' union of the Attic demes into one city. He adds the story of Phaedra and Hippolytus and the exploits of Peirithoüs, including the abduction of Helen and the descent to Hades.

Ovid (1)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.1–63The Greeks at Aulis; the House of FamePriam mourns for Aesacus, not knowing that he lives on as a bird, while Paris, who was absent, returns with Helen and a thousand ships. The Greek fleet gathers at Aulis, where a snake devours eight sparrows and their mother and is turned to stone, and Calchas reads the omen as meaning ten years of war. The ships are held by contrary winds until Iphigenia is brought to the altar, but Artemis (Diana) puts a hind in her place and carries her away. The poet then describes the House of Fame, where all the rumours of the world are heard.

Pausanias (10)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.19.1–13Amyclae and Therapne: Hyacinth’s tomb, Helen and the White IslePausanias describes the image of the Amyclaean Apollo, standing on an altar said to hold the tomb of Hyacinth and carved with reliefs, and the sanctuary of Alexandra and Dionysus Psilax at Amyclae. He then follows the road to Therapne past the sanctuaries of Zeus, Cotylean Aesculapius and Ares Theritas, and gives the Rhodian story of Helen’s hanging and the tale from Crotona and Himera of Leonymus and the White Isle.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.24.1–11Laconian coast: Zarax, Cyphanta, Brasiae, Las and HypsaPausanias describes Zarax, destroyed by Cleonymus, the grotto of Aesculapius at Cyphanta with its spring struck by Atalanta, and Brasiae, whose people say Semele and the infant Dionysus drifted there in a chest. He then describes Las, with its temple of Athena Asia, the fountain Galaco, the river Smenus and the grave of Las. He argues from Homer that Achilles cannot have been a suitor of Helen.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.33.1–8Attica: Brauron, Rhamnus and Phidias’ statue of NemesisAt Brauron Iphigenia is said to have left the image of Artemis. At Rhamnus stands the sanctuary of Nemesis, with Phidias’ statue made from the marble the Persians brought to set up as a trophy. Pausanias digresses on the Ethiopians shown on her bowl and on Ocean, Atlas and the sources of the Nile, notes that Nemesis was originally wingless, and explains the figures on the pedestal, where Leda brings Helen to Nemesis.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.19.1–10Olympia: the Chest of Cypselus, fourth and fifth fieldsPausanias describes the fourth field, including Boreas and Orithyia, Hercules and Geryon, the fight of Achilles and Memnon, the Dioscuri rescuing Helen, scenes from the Trojan war, the judgment of Paris and the sons of Oedipus. He then gives his readings of the unlabelled uppermost field, such as Ulysses and Circe, and guesses that the verses are by Eumelus of Corinth.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.22.1–9Argos: sanctuaries of Hera and Latona, the Dioscuri, Hecate and the gymnasium of CylarabesSouth of the Latona sanctuary Pausanias describes the temple of Flowery Hera and the grave of the Sea-Women, the sanctuary of Pelasgian Demeter, a bronze vessel said to hold the bones of Tantalus, and the shrine of Poseidon of the Dashing Wave. He then lists the grave of Argus, the temple of the Dioscuri, the sanctuary of Ilithyia founded by Helen, and the temple of Hecate with images by Scopas, Polyclitus and Naucydes. He ends with the tomb of Sacadas and the gymnasium of Cylarabes.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.15.1–11Sparta: heroes’ shrines, Hercules and Hippocoon, Enyalius in fetters and MorphoPausanias lists the shrine of Cynisca, the heroes’ shrines behind the colonnade, the tomb of Alcman and the sanctuaries of Helen and Hercules, and tells how Hercules came to punish Hippocoon’s sons after the death of Oeonus. He also describes Athena Serve-them-right, the temple of Hipposthenes, the fettered Enyalius, Hera Goat-eating, and the temple of armed Aphrodite with its upper storey sacred to Morpho, whose fetters he does not take to be a punishment.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.2.1–8Corinth: Palaemon’s shrine, the ports, the tomb of Lais and the market-placeWithin the Isthmian precinct Pausanias describes the temple of Palaemon and the altar of the Cyclopes, and the conduct of the Isthmian games after Mummius. He then describes Lechaeum and Cenchreae with their sanctuaries and the bath of Helen, and on the road to Corinth the tomb of Diogenes and the Craneum, where the grave of Lais lies. In the market-place he lists images of Artemis, Dionysus and others, with the story of the images made from Pentheus’ tree.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.20.1–11Laconia: Therapne, Alesiae, Mount Taygetus and the road to ArcadiaPausanias describes the fountain Messeis, the Phoebaeum and the sanctuary of Earth-holding Poseidon, then Alesiae, Pharis, Bryseae, Mount Taletum and the sanctuary of Eleusinian Demeter. He explains how Helos gave its name to the Helots and mentions Lapithaeum, Dereum and Harplea. On the road to Arcadia he notes the image of Athena Parea, the Horse’s Tomb and the image of Modesty, set up by Icarius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.18.1–8Olympia: the Chest of Cypselus, second and third fieldsPausanias describes the second field of the chest, with Night nursing Death and Sleep, Justice and Injustice, Idas and Marpessa, Alcmena, Menelaus and Helen, Medea, the Muses, Atlas and Hercules, and Perseus pursued by the Gorgons. The third field shows armies meeting, which he reads as the migration of Melas to Corinth.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.16.1–5Pheneus: Mount Tricrena, the grave of Aepytus and famous tombsPausanias describes the mountains east of Pheneus, including Tricrena, where nymphs washed the new-born Hermes, and Mount Sepia, where Aepytus was killed by a snake and where his grave stands. He says the grave stirred Homer's wonder. As examples of more wonderful tombs he names the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the tomb of the woman Helen at Jerusalem, whose stone door opens by itself once a year at a set hour.

Quintus Smyrnaeus (8)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 13.297–414Aeneas escapes; Menelaus and HelenAeneas, seeing Troy burning, carries his father Anchises on his shoulders and leads his son out through the fire, guided by Aphrodite. Calchas tells the Argives to spare him because he is fated to found a great city by the Tiber. Menelaus kills Deiphobus in Helen's chamber and finds Helen, but Aphrodite strikes the sword from his hand and fills him with love, and his brother urges him not to kill her.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 6.116–199Eurypylus comes to TroyThe Trojans are rescued by the coming of Eurypylus, grandson of Hercules, with a host from the river Caicus. They crowd round him with delight and Paris welcomes him as a kinsman. After a feast outside the walls Priam and the Trojans beg him to fight for them, and he promises.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 14.1–120The spoil of TroyThe Argives plunder Troy. Menelaus leads Helen from the burning city, and Cassandra falls to Agamemnon, Andromache to Neoptolemus and Hecuba to Odysseus. Xanthus mourns with his Nymphs, and the Argives sacrifice and feast at the ships.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.1–93Polydamas and Paris quarrelPriam urges the Trojans to defend the walls until Memnon comes. Polydamas doubts that waiting will save them and counsels against endless war, and Paris reviles him as a coward. Polydamas answers him to his face, and Paris has no reply.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 13.415–563Troy burns; Aethra rescuedThe gods mourn Troy, all but Hera and Athena, though Athena turns away in anger as Aias son of Oileus outrages Cassandra in her temple. Fire destroys the city and Trojans die in their burning houses, and the glow is seen from Ida and Tenedos. Aethra is found by her grandsons Demophoon and Acamas, who promise to take her home to Greece. Laodice is swallowed by the earth, and the Pleiad Electra hides herself from sight.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 14.121–227Menelaus and Helen; Achilles' ghostA harper sings the story of the war at the Argives' feast before they sleep. Helen asks Menelaus to forgive her, he tells her to forget the past, and the two are reconciled. Achilles' ghost appears to Neoptolemus in a dream, advising him to be kind and honourable, and demands that Polyxeina be sacrificed at his tomb or he will raise storms against the fleet.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 9.75–209The battle before the wallsThe Trojans see the Argive host and are afraid, but arm and go out against the chariots. Deiphobus kills Nestor's charioteer. Neoptolemus cuts down the Trojans like a woodman felling trees, while elsewhere Agamemnon and Diomedes fight on.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 10.203–331Philoctetes wounds ParisParis shoots at Philoctetes and misses, and Philoctetes shoots back, wounding him with the second arrow. Paris is told that only Oenone can heal him and goes to her on Ida. She mocks him, refuses, and drives him from her door.

Parthenius of Nicaea (3)

Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 33.1–36.6Assaon and Niobe; Corythus; Eulimene and Lycastus; Arganthone and RhesusIn one version of the Niobe story her father Assaon burns her children when she refuses him; she throws herself from a rock, and he kills himself. Corythus comes to Troy, falls in love with Helen and is killed by his father. Lycastus, lover of Eulimene, confesses when the lot falls on her to be sacrificed, and Apterus murders him. Arganthone loves Rhesus, who goes to the Trojan war and is killed, and she wanders calling his name until she dies of grief.
Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 3.1–4.5Odysseus and Evippe; Alexander and OenoneOdysseus seduces Evippe in Epirus, and their son Euryalus is killed at Ithaca when Penelope persuades Odysseus that he is a plotter; Odysseus himself later dies of a wound from his own offspring. Oenone, who lives with Alexander (Paris) on Mount Ida, foretells that he will leave her and that only she can cure him. When he is wounded by an arrow of Philoctetes she answers him haughtily, and he dies before she arrives, and she kills herself.
Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 16.1–17.6Laodice and Acamas; Periander and his motherLaodice falls in love with the young Acamas, who has come with Diomedes to ask for Helen; with the help of Philobia and Perseus she is put at his side at a banquet and bears him Munitus, who later dies of a snake bite. Periander's mother loves him and takes the place of an imagined lady in his bed. When he reveals her by a hidden light he is held back from killing her, and from then on he is a madman and a savage tyrant.

Helen in the ancient sources

Hesiod (2)

Homer (11)

Apollodorus (3)

Pindar (1)

Aeschylus (3)

Euripides (71)

Theocritus (2)

Aristophanes (1)

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Ovid (1)

Pausanias (10)

Quintus Smyrnaeus (8)

Parthenius of Nicaea (3)