Helen of Troy is one of the most famous women in Greek mythology and plays a central role in the story of the Trojan War. According to the myth, she was the daughter of the god Zeus and Queen Leda. Helen was described as the most beautiful woman in the world, and her beauty became both a gift and a curse.

Helen was married to King Menelaus of Sparta when Prince Paris of Troy came to visit. Paris had previously received the promise from the goddess of love, Aphrodite, that he would have the most beautiful woman in the world if he declared her the fairest of the goddesses. Thus, Paris fell in love with Helen and took her with him to Troy. In some versions of the myth, Helen went willingly, while other stories say that she was abducted.

When Helen was taken to Troy, Menelaus was furious. He gathered the Greek kings and heroes to retrieve her. This led to the Trojan War, which, according to legend, lasted for ten years.