In the Homeric epics, Helen’s abduction by Paris was the reason for the Trojan War. However there is another version by many ancient writers where Helen is first abducted by Theseus. Theseus, king of Athens, kidnaps Helen together with Peirithous and puts her in his mother Aithra’s keeping in Afidna outside Athens On the occasion, however, that Theseus descends to the underworld in order to assist Peirithou in kidnapping Persephone, Helen’s brothers Castor and Polydeukis grasp the opportunity to free their sister. The mosaic made of pebbles from Pella depicting Helen’s abduction by Theseus is so vividly rendered that it is considered to be a copy of a painting of the subject.
Different versions of the abduction of Helen of Troy
27 Jul 2012
by Archaeology Newsroom
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