In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy was the most beautiful woman in the world. A daughter of the god Zeusin Greek mythology, king of the gods and husband of Hera (Roman god Jupiter), she is best known for the part she played in causing the Trojan Warlegendary war between the Greeks and the people of Troy that was set off by the kidnapping of Helen, wife of the king of Sparta; inspiration for Homer's epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, a story told by Homer in the Iliad] and the Odyssey]. Some scholars suggest that Helen was also a very ancient goddess associated with trees and birds.

Birth and Early Life. Some myths say that Helen's mother was Leda, the wife of King Tyndareus of Spartaancient Greek city-state. Others name...