Definition: Helen of Troy was the daughter of Leda and Zeus, sister of Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), and wife of Menelaus. The beauty of Helen of Troy was so overwhelming that Theseus once abducted her. Before Helen married Menelaus all her other suitors swore to help bring Helen back should she be abducted again. When Paris of Troy abducted Helen, the suitors were obliged to honor their oath and so the Trojan War was fought to bring her back home. Helen of Troy is referred to as the face that launched a thousand ships.
Also Known As: Helen of Sparta, Helen, The Face That Launched 1000 Ships
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Helen of Troy appears only 6 times in the Iliad, four of which are in the third book, one appearance in Book VI, and a final appearance in the last (24th) book.
