How many times did Helen of Troy marry? Greek Mythology Story

Helen of Troy, the renowned figure from Greek mythology, is often associated with her beauty and the great Trojan War. One of the intriguing aspects of her story is her marital history, which has been a subject of much debate and interpretation in ancient literature. According to Laurie Macguire in "Helen of Troy From Homer to Hollywood," there are 11 men listed as husbands of Helen in ancient literature, with the canonical list in chronological order, and 5 exceptional ones added to the list.

The first husband of Helen mentioned in ancient literature is Theseus. Theseus, the legendary king of Athens and a hero in Greek mythology, is said to have abducted Helen before she was married to Menelaus. This event is often overshadowed by the more famous abduction of Helen by Paris, which led to the Trojan War.

Menelaus, the king of Sparta, is widely recognized as the husband of Helen. Their marriage is a central element in the story of the Trojan War, as Helen's departure with Paris to Troy is the cause of the conflict. Menelaus is determined to reclaim his wife and seeks the help of other Greek leaders to wage war against the Trojans.

Paris, the prince of Troy, is the third husband of Helen mentioned in ancient literature. Paris is responsible for the abduction of Helen, which sets the stage for the Trojan War. His love for Helen and her beauty are often cited as the reasons for his actions, leading to the downfall of Troy.

In addition to the canonical list of husbands, there are 5 exceptional ones mentioned by Macguire. These exceptional husbands add further complexity to the marital history of Helen and raise questions about the different versions of her story in ancient literature.

The first exceptional husband is Achaeus, who is mentioned in the "Cypria," a lost epic poem of the Trojan cycle. Achaeus is said to have married Helen while she was still in Egypt after the fall of Troy. This version of events suggests that Helen may have had another marriage after her time in Troy.

The second exceptional husband is Deiphobus, the brother of Paris and a prince of Troy. In some accounts, Deiphobus is portrayed as another husband of Helen during her time in Troy. This adds another layer to the complexity of her marital history and the relationships within the royal family of Troy.

The third exceptional husband is Nicostratus, the son of Menelaus and a lesser-known figure in the mythological tradition. According to some sources, Nicostratus is mentioned as being married to Helen after the death of Menelaus. This unconventional marriage raises questions about the succession and inheritance of the throne of Sparta.

The fourth exceptional husband is Achilles, the Greek hero of the Trojan War. In some versions of the myth, Achilles is said to have married Helen after the death of Paris. This unexpected union between two prominent figures in the Trojan War adds a twist to the traditional narrative and offers a different perspective on the relationships between the characters.

The fifth exceptional husband is Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. In some accounts, Orestes is mentioned as being married to Helen after the death of Menelaus. This marriage further complicates the marital history of Helen and raises questions about the alliances and loyalties within the Greek royal families.

The diverse interpretations of Helen's marital history in ancient literature reflect the complexity of her character and the significance of her story in Greek mythology. The various husbands mentioned in the canonical list and the exceptional ones added by Macguire offer different perspectives on the relationships, power dynamics, and consequences of Helen's marriages. These interpretations contribute to the enduring fascination with Helen of Troy and her enduring legacy in literature and popular culture.

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[mrscans.]

She didn't marry Theseus, he kidnapped her while still very young and later her Bro's saved her, was no marriage

[mrscans.]

Not watched this yet, i say three times, Menalaus, then Paris at Troy, then his Brother Diphobus in the last year of the ten year Trojan War, i say three times