HELENUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
The tale of the Trojan War is one which has been passed down over millennia, and today the names linked with the war, names like Achilles, Odysseus and Agamemnon are instantly recognisable.
As a general rule the names of heroes amongst the attacking Achaeans, or Greeks, are better known than the defenders, but amongst those who defended the walls of Troy were the likes of Hector, Aeneas and Helenus.
As a general rule the names of heroes amongst the attacking Achaeans, or Greeks, are better known than the defenders, but amongst those who defended the walls of Troy were the likes of Hector, Aeneas and Helenus.
Helenus son of Priam
Helenus was a native of Troy, indeed he was a prince of Troy, for Helenus was the son of King Priam and Priam’s favoured wife Hecabe. Now, King Priam had many children, but amongst the full siblings of Helenus were Hector, Paris and Cassandra, and in fact Helenus was named as twin to Cassandra.
Amongst these children of Priam, Hector was known for his fighting skill, Paris was originally known for his sound judgement, and Cassandra was known for her prophetic ability, and like his twin, Helenus excelled in the art of prophecy.
Whilst Cassandra was always right in her prophecies, the daughter of King Priam was cursed never to be believed, but words uttered by Helenus were listened to.
Amongst these children of Priam, Hector was known for his fighting skill, Paris was originally known for his sound judgement, and Cassandra was known for her prophetic ability, and like his twin, Helenus excelled in the art of prophecy.
Whilst Cassandra was always right in her prophecies, the daughter of King Priam was cursed never to be believed, but words uttered by Helenus were listened to.
Helenus the Seer
Various tales are told of how Helenus came to receive his prophetic abilities. The most common tale tells of Helenus simply being taught, either by Cassandra, who had received her gift from Apollo or an unnamed Thracian seer.
Alternatively, Helenus’ gift came from the gods, for as a child Helenus may have slept in the temple of Apollo, and during the night the ears of Helenus were said to have been licked out by snakes. This method of receiving the prophetic ability was a relatively common one in Greek mythology. |
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Helenus the Fighter
Helenus was more than just a seer though, for he was the cleverest of all Trojans, and also a wise counsel, and someone who Hector trusted to guide him as the Trojan War developed.
Helenus was more than just an intellect though, for he also took up weapons to defend Troy, and was often found fighting alongside his brothers, Hector and Deiphonus. In the Iliad, Helenus is said to have killed the Greek hero Deipyrus, before he himself is injured by Menelaus.
Helenus was more than just an intellect though, for he also took up weapons to defend Troy, and was often found fighting alongside his brothers, Hector and Deiphonus. In the Iliad, Helenus is said to have killed the Greek hero Deipyrus, before he himself is injured by Menelaus.
Helenus Leaves Troy
Helenus though is today not primarily remembered as a defender of Troy, for late in the Trojan War, Helenus is found not in Troy but instead within the Achaean camp.
Helenus has departed from Troy through his own free will, although the reason for his departure varies between sources. Helenus may have simple seen a future in which Troy lies in ruins, and has decided to save himself.
Alternatively there may have been disagreement between the children of King Priam, for some tell of Helenus being appalled at the plans of Paris to defile the body of Achilles, or alternatively Helenus is angry that he is not to wed Helen, after the death of Paris, for instead Helen has been promised to Deiphobus.
Helenus did not leave Troy and go to the Achaean camp, for instead the son of Priam had decided to make a new home for himself upon Mount Ida.
Helenus has departed from Troy through his own free will, although the reason for his departure varies between sources. Helenus may have simple seen a future in which Troy lies in ruins, and has decided to save himself.
Alternatively there may have been disagreement between the children of King Priam, for some tell of Helenus being appalled at the plans of Paris to defile the body of Achilles, or alternatively Helenus is angry that he is not to wed Helen, after the death of Paris, for instead Helen has been promised to Deiphobus.
Helenus did not leave Troy and go to the Achaean camp, for instead the son of Priam had decided to make a new home for himself upon Mount Ida.
The Prophecies of Helenus
The land around Troy though was constantly being searched by the Achaeans though, and upon Mount Ida, Helenus was discovered by Diomedes and Odysseus. Helenus was recognised by the pair and as a result, Helenus was taken back to Troy and the Achaean camp outside the city walls.
Helenus would prove to be a most useful captive for Agamemnon, for the Trojan seer was able to add to predictions made by Calchas, about how Troy could fall to the Achaeans. One requirement was that the ivory shoulder bone of Pelops needed to be in the Achaean camp (although this actually never arrived; another was the fact that the son of Achilles, Neoptolemus must fight at Troy; it was also required that Philoctetes must take to the battlefield, although Calchas had already predicted that his bow and arrows would be needed. Most importantly though, Helenus proclaimed that Troy would not fall unless the Palladium, the wooden statue of Pallas, left the city; and so Odysseus and Diomedes were tasked with stealing it. The Fall of TroySome writers also tell of how Helenus came up with the idea of the Trojan Horse as a method for bringing the Trojan War to an end, although the idea of a wooden horse is normally ascribed to Odysseus acting upon the instruction of the goddess Athena.
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The Trojan Horse did in the end bring down Troy, and Helenus watched on as the sacking of Troy occurred.
At the end of the war, treasure and war prizes were divided amongst the surviving Achaean heroes; and some tell of Agamemnon, being in a generous mood, giving a proportion of the taken Trojan treasure to Helenus, as well as his freedom.
Helenus could but watch on as the Women of Troy were allotted to the Achaeans, with his mother Hecabe being given to Odysseus, his sister Cassandra to Agamemnon, and his former sister-in-law Andromache to Neoptolemus.
At the end of the war, treasure and war prizes were divided amongst the surviving Achaean heroes; and some tell of Agamemnon, being in a generous mood, giving a proportion of the taken Trojan treasure to Helenus, as well as his freedom.
Helenus could but watch on as the Women of Troy were allotted to the Achaeans, with his mother Hecabe being given to Odysseus, his sister Cassandra to Agamemnon, and his former sister-in-law Andromache to Neoptolemus.
Helenus Becomes a KingFree to do as his wish, Helenus joined the retinue to Neoptolemus, and travelled, with the son of Achilles, to Epirus.
In Epirus Neoptolemus created a new kingdom for himself, and although childless through his marriage to Hermione, Neoptolemus would father three sons by Andromache, Molossus, Pergamus and Pielus. Helenus would find great favour with Neoptolemus, acting as a counsel to the new king. Helenus was thus again rewarded, for Deidamia, the mother of Neoptolemus became Helenus’ new wife. So trusted was Helenus that when Neoptolemus was absent from his kingdom, the seer was placed in charge. During one of these absences though, Neoptolemus was killed by Orestes; and so the Kingdom of Epirus was without a king. Finally, it was decided that the kingdom would be split in two, with Molossus ruling one half, and Helenus ruling the other. Thus a Trojan prince had become a Greek king. |
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Helenus in the Aeneid
Helenus’ kingdom was centred on the city of Buhrotum (modern Albania), and Helenus made his former sister-in-law Andromache his new queen. Andromache would give birth to a son for Helenus, Cestrinus, who would later become king of the region called Cestrine.
Helenus would briefly appear briefly in the adventures of Aeneas, for the Trojan hero would visit the court of Helenus, as he travelled the ancient world. Helenus was able to provide much information about what the future would hold for Aeneas, including the founding of Rome, and Helenus would give him much treasure to help in the quest that was to come.
Nothing is said about the death of Helenus, although it was Molossus, rather than Cestrinus who succeeded to the throne of Helenus’ kingdom.
It was also said in later times that Helenus was not buried within his realm, but was instead buried in Argos.
Helenus would briefly appear briefly in the adventures of Aeneas, for the Trojan hero would visit the court of Helenus, as he travelled the ancient world. Helenus was able to provide much information about what the future would hold for Aeneas, including the founding of Rome, and Helenus would give him much treasure to help in the quest that was to come.
Nothing is said about the death of Helenus, although it was Molossus, rather than Cestrinus who succeeded to the throne of Helenus’ kingdom.
It was also said in later times that Helenus was not buried within his realm, but was instead buried in Argos.
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