English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe describes Helen of Troy as the person “causing thousands of ships”. Indeed, when the Trojan prince Paris and Elena left the town Troy, the large army with Achaean people declared war on Troy to recover Helen. Aside from the mythological story of "The verdict of Paris”, many historians believe that the love between Elena and Paris is the reason for the Trojan War.
Because of her beauty Helen has often been a favorite subject for many artists over the centuries. The Greek name Elena is written and pronounced as Helene and would had come from Selene, meaning "moon."
Life of Helen of Troy
Most notes are written in the famous Greek epic poems, Iliada and Odyssey. Of them believe that Helen is the daughter of the Greek god Zeus and Leda, who is the daughter of King Thestius, managing Etoliya. According to some other versions Elena is given by the Greek goddess Nemesis and not the daughter of the Greek God Zeus and Leda.
Although Helen was not the biological daughter of Zeus, it is always considered a descendant of the Spartan king Tyndareus, the husband of Leda. Elena is the sister of Castor, Polydeuces and Klitemestra.
In her early years she was kidnapped by two Athenians, Theseus and Pirithous who wanted to marry one of the daughters of Zeus. In a small gap where her kidnappers were in search of Persephone (another daughter of Zeus, married to Hades, ruler of the underworld), she was placed under the supervision of Etra, the mother of Theseus. Later, when Hades found Theseus and Pirithous, the brothers of Helen - Castor and Polydeuces, save her. Many writers of ancient Greece describing her as a very young girl, but in this particular story she was somewhere around 5 years.
Helen's wedding is a very important event for people and Achaean Greeks. All Achaean kings in the Mediterranean region were either suitor of Helen, or sent emissaries to a proposal for marriage. That put her father Tyndareus Spartan king, in a very dangerous position if the representatives declined to decide revenge. He feared that between families hostilities can occur, in the end the candidate was chosen by Helen and a conflict arises, which in turn lead to the outbreak of war.
Odyssey, A friend of Tyndareus, considered one of the smartest Greeks, was released with a great idea. He asked all members to sign an oath, as that would not be a war and the marriage of Elena will be honored. The 10-year Trojan War led by the Greek army, was the work of this particular oath.
Helen took her husband Menelaus, brother of Agamemnon. Many scientists believe that Menelaus was selected by Tyndareus because he was the strongest and most well-being among the remaining candidates. There are suggestions that the wedding had a political nature.
After Helen was married she had a daughter, Hermiona. Menelaus became ruler of Sparta, as her father in law (its Tyndareus) and her brothers in law (Castor and Polydeuces) die. Once the Trojan prince Paris came to Sparta Helen falls in love with him. According to some mythological notes Aphrodite, goddess of love, sent an arrow to make Elena fall in love in Paris because the goddess owed a service. According to some, Helen falls in love with Paris, others say she was abducted by him.
Menelaus in search of revenge, led a huge Achaean army to win back his wife. All Achaean kings associated with the oath and the union finally after 10 years of war, defeated Troy. According to some of Elena died after the war. Menelaus wanted to kill his unfaithful wife, but captivated by her beauty he fails. The majority of sources claim that Elena returned to Sparta with Menelaus.
There are various legends written about the life of Helen. So legendary was its beauty that was the subject of art for many. Helen of Troy will always remain an open face, causing thousands of ships.
