Helen

Helen of Sparta was the woman that launched a thousand ships and started one of the most memorable wars of literary history. She was the wife of Menelaus. She lived happily with him for a number of years and had a daughter with him, Hermione.

During a visit to Menelaus's home, the King of Troy's son, Paris saw her and was attracted to her. There are many different accounts of Helen. Some have us believing she was abducted by Paris. In others she ran off with him.

Regardless, Paris swept her off her feet took her back to Troy with him where she became his wife. Although she hated herself because of the war that she and Paris caused between the Trojans and the Achaeans. This was the making of Helen of Troy. Helen had several children with Paris. She stayed with him until the Acheans seized the city of Troy almost 19 years later. Here she was reunited with Menelaus and remained at his side for the balance of their lives.

Works cited: (www.pantheon.org, 1/10/2004) (www.about.com, 2004) (www.bulfinch.org, 1996-2004)