Birth Helen of Troy

leda , swan cesare da sesto (c. 1506–1510, wilton). artist has been intrigued idea of helen s unconventional birth; , clytemnestra shown emerging 1 egg; castor , pollux another.

in sources, including iliad , odyssey, helen daughter of zeus, , leda, wife of spartan king tyndareus. euripides play helen, written in late 5th century bc, earliest source report familiar account of helen s birth: that, although putative father tyndareus, zeus daughter. in form of swan, king of gods chased eagle, , sought refuge leda. swan gained affection, , 2 mated. leda produced egg, helen emerged. first vatican mythographer introduces notion 2 eggs came union: 1 containing castor , pollux; 1 helen , clytemnestra. nevertheless, same author earlier states helen, castor , pollux produced single egg. pseudo-apollodorus states leda had intercourse both zeus , tyndareus night conceived helen.

on other hand, in cypria, part of epic cycle, helen daughter of zeus , goddess nemesis. date of cypria uncertain, thought preserve traditions date @ least 7th century bc. in cypria, nemesis did not wish mate zeus. therefore changed shape various animals attempted flee zeus, becoming goose. zeus transformed himself goose , mated nemesis, produced egg helen born. presumably, in cypria, egg somehow transferred leda. later sources state either brought leda shepherd discovered in grove in attica, or dropped lap hermes.

asclepiades of tragilos , pseudo-eratosthenes related similar story, except zeus , nemesis became swans instead of geese. timothy gantz has suggested tradition zeus came leda in form of swan derives version in zeus , nemesis transformed birds.

pausanias states in middle of 2nd century ad, remains of egg-shell, tied in ribbons, still suspended roof of temple on spartan acropolis. people believed famous egg legend says leda brought forth . pausanias traveled sparta visit sanctuary, dedicated hilaeira , phoebe, in order see relic himself.