Helle in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Helle

8 passages from 7 ancient authors that tell of Helle, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Helle was a mortal in Greek mythology, who played an important part in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, along with her twin brother Phrixus. She w... For the story in one place, read our article on Helle.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.1–15Athamas, Sisyphus, Salmoneus, Melampus and AdmetusThe sons of Aeolus: Athamas, whose children Phrixus and Helle flee on the golden ram and who later loses Ino and Learchus to madness, then Sisyphus, Deion, Perieres, Magnes and Salmoneus, who is struck down for impersonating Zeus. Salmoneus's daughter Tyro bears Pelias and Neleus to Poseidon, and the section follows Neleus and Nestor at Pylus, Pelias in Thessaly, and Cretheus's line with the seer Melampus winning Pero for his brother Bias. It ends with Pheres, Admetus and Alcestis.

Ovid (2)

Ovid, Fasti 3.809–884Fasti 3: The Quinquatrus of Athena (Minerva); Phrixus and HelleThe Quinquatrus honours Athena (Minerva) over five days, with her patronage of crafts and a note on her shrine as Minerva Capta. Ovid then gives the story of Phrixus and Helle: a stepmother's trick brings a false oracle, their mother snatches them away, and a golden ram carries them until Helle falls into the sea. He ends with equinox, Janus and Peace, and the Moon on 31 March.
Ovid, Heroides 19.1–210Heroides 19: Hero to LeanderHero writes to Leander in reply, urging him to come to her. She describes how she waits with her nurse and a lamp, imagines him crossing, and complains that he did not use a calmer night. She fears that his love may fade or that another woman holds him, asks Poseidon (Neptune) to spare him, and mentions a troubling dream of a dying dolphin.

Pausanias (1)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.34.1–10Itonian Athena, Coronea, Mount Laphystius and the early history of OrchomenusPausanias describes the sanctuary of Itonian Athena, where the Boeotians hold their general assembly, and the story of the priestess Iodama. At Coronea he lists the altars in the market-place and the sanctuary of Hera, as well as Mount Libethrius and the sanctuary of Laphystian Zeus where the golden ram saved Phrixus and Helle. He then begins the history of Orchomenus with Andreus, Athamas and the founders of Haliartus and Coronea, and Eteocles.

[Eratosthenes] (1)

[Eratosthenes], Catasterismi (Constellation Myths) 17–21Andromeda, the Horse, the Ram, the Triangle and the FishesAndromeda, saved by Perseus, and the Horse (Pegasus, or Hippe, daughter of Cheiron) are followed by the Ram that carried Phrixus and Helle. The Triangle is explained as the letter Delta, both for Zeus and for the shape of Egypt, and the Fishes are the offspring of the great Fish.

Heraclitus (paradoxographer) (1)

Heraclitus (paradoxographer), On Unbelievable Tales 21–39Hades, gods and transformations, from the Underworld to the oxen of HeliosThe second half deals with journeys to Hades, the fall of Phaethon, the charm of Orpheus, the golden fleece, the gods’ abductions and loves, and the transformations of Procne, the Heliades and others, replacing each miracle with a plain event or a phrase we still use. It ends with the oxen of Helios, read through Homer as a rule against slaughtering working cattle. Chapters 22, 25 and 38 touch gaps in the manuscript.

Hyginus (1)

Hyginus, De astronomia 2.18.1–2.20.4Book 2: The Horse, the Triangle and the RamPegasus and the horse of Melanippe are two different explanations of the Horse, followed by a short note on the Triangle. The Ram is the golden ram of Phrixus and Helle, with an alternative tale of the ram that led Dionysus's army to water at the oracle of Ammon.

Palaephatus (1)

Palaephatus, On Unbelievable Tales 30–32Phrixus, the Phorcides, the AmazonsThe golden fleece becomes a golden image of Cos, the one-eyed Graiai a set of sisters guarding a statue of Athena, and the Amazons bearded Thracian-style warriors mistaken for women. These are among the longest chapters of the work.