Page 13 - GALIET BEAUTY´S LURE: WAR Helen of Troy and Margareta of Germany IV

the fabled Judgment of Paris, that the Trojan War is fought,10 and its walls burned.11 Though other obscure references are made in the Iliad,12 Book 24 narrates the Judgment of Paris’ paradigmatic contest of beauty.13 Book 24 explicitly sings of the anger of Hera and Athena, both insulted by Paris, for having “favored Aphrodite” as the one “who supplied the lust that led to disaster.”14 This lust is a form of blindness, a bewildering infatuation, or ἄτη,15 for which Troy is fated to fall. Thus, Homer’s Iliad forever immortalizes the beautiful, lovely-haired Helen as the very emblem of war and strife that stirs Prince Paris’ flaming heart to pursue her immortal beauty across the seas. Helen of Argos will be the leading cause of Troy’s blaze, and her glorious feminine beauty, its most savage justification.
(6.344), while soon after she adds that ‘the gods had brought it about that these vile things must be.’ (6.349). Both postures suggest there are two interpretations as to the cause of the war: Helen or the gods. Blundell, Sue. Women in Ancient Greece. UK: British Museum Press, 1995. 49.
10Il.,1.159–60; 3.126–28, 156–57; 4.173–74; 6.344–58; 7.350–51; 9.339; 19.325; 22.114–16; 24.762–74; Ody., 4.235–89; 11.438; 14.68–69; 17.118–19; 22.226–30; 23.218–21. This footnote was gathered from footnote 1 from Hanna Roisman’s article. Roisman, Hanna. “Helen in the Iliad: Causa Belli and Victim of War: from silent weaver to public speaker.” American Journal of Philology 127 (2006): 1. Footnote 1. 11Besides the claims made in the Iliad, Helen is also blamed in other texts. Many perished for her sake (Alcaeus 283 p. 333); Helen destroyed holy Ilium with fire (42. P. Oxy. 1233 fr. 2 ii1-16); the Phrygians and their city perished for her sake (Alcaeus, 257); she is cause of death and Troy’s destruction (Virgil, Aeneas to Dido, Book II).
12 There are a few insinuations of the Judgment of Paris in relation to Aphrodite, Hera and Athena in Il.,5.422, 5.710-715, and in relation to taking Helen and her possessions in Il.,13.625-627.
13 Il., 24.27-30.
14 Il., 24.24-30.
15 Ἄτη is translated as bewilderment, infatuation, reckless impulse, caused by judicial blindness sent by the gods. In Homer, Ἄτη is personified as the goddess of mischief or reckless conduct, Ἄτη, ἣ πάντας ἀᾶται. “Ἄτη.” LSJ Liddell.
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