Her journey home, life in Sparta, and tragic death in Rhodes
Helen of Troy — the woman whose beauty supposedly launched a thousand ships — remains one of mythology's most fascinating figures. But what happened to her after the legendary fall of Troy?
🔥 From Troy with... Rage
When the Greeks captured Troy, Menelaus entered the home of Deiphobus, Helen's new husband after Paris had died. The king of Sparta killed Deiphobus and, furious at Helen's betrayal, raised his sword to execute her. But her beauty calmed his rage — he looked at her and forgave her. The same happened when both Greeks and Trojans tried to stone her. Her appearance left them in awe, and they stopped.
🐴 The Trojan Horse and the Herb “Helenion”
Another version of the myth says Menelaus was enraged because Helen had almost exposed the Greek ruse. She had realized there were soldiers hidden inside the wooden horse and, walking around it at night, called out to them using the voices of their loved ones. One soldier almost responded, but the others stopped him just in time.
After avoiding Menelaus' sword, Helen joined him on a long, 8-year journey back to Greece. They spent much of that time in Egypt, where Helen learned about medicinal herbs. There, King Thon fell in love with her, and Menelaus killed him. In another version, Thon’s wife, Polydamna, sent Helen to the island of Pharos and gave her a protective herb called helenion to keep her safe from the island’s snakes.
🛡️ Return to Greece and New Danger
Upon returning to Argos, they encountered Orestes and Pylades, who had been sentenced to death. The two men asked for help, but Menelaus refused. Furious, they plotted to kill Helen and kidnap her daughter Hermione to force his cooperation. Just before the murder, the god Apollo intervened and saved her.
🌿 The Tragic End in Rhodes
After Menelaus died of old age, the Spartans, still blaming Helen for the war, exiled her to Rhodes. There, she met Queen Polyxo, who appeared to welcome her. But in truth, Polyxo hated Helen because her husband, Tlepolemus, had died in the Trojan War.
One evening, while Helen was bathing, three women approached her, disguised as Furies — ancient goddesses of vengeance. These were Polyxo’s servants, sent to punish Helen. According to one version, they hanged her from a tree. In another, they tortured her so badly that she ended her life herself. On the island of Rhodes, a sanctuary was later dedicated to her: the Temple of Helen Dendritis ("Helen of the Tree").
🎭 One Woman, Many Lives
Helen was not just a mythological beauty — she became a symbol of guilt, strength, power, and tragedy. From queen to exile, from worshipped to condemned, her story shows the complex and captivating nature of ancient Greek mythology.
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