i.

Causation of War:

Homer Greek author and poet, wrote many poems

Homer Iliad 6.344:

So said he, and Hector of the flashing helm answered him not a word, but unto him spake Helen with
gentle words: “O Brother of me that am a dog, a contriver of mischief and abhorred of all,

[345] I would that on the day when first my mother gave me birth an evil storm-wind had borne me
away to some mountain or to the wave of the loud-resounding sea, where the wave might have swept
me away or ever these things came to pass. Howbeit, seeing the gods thus ordained these ills,

[350] would that I had been wife to a better man, that could feel the indignation of his fellows and
their many revilings. But this man's understanding is not now stable, nor ever will be hereafter;
thereof I deem that he will e'en reap the fruit. But come now, enter in, and sit thee upon this chair,

[355] my brother, since above all others has trouble encompassed thy heart because of shameless me,
and the folly of Alexander; on whom Zeus hath brought an evil doom, that even in days to come we
may be a song for men that are yet to be.” (Murray: 1988, 287).

Sappho Fragment 16:

Some say thronging cavalry, some say the foot soldiers,

Others call a fleet the most beautiful of
Sights the dark earth offers, but I say it’s whatever you love best
And it is easy to make this understood by
Everyone, for she who surpassed all human
Kind in beauty, Helen, abandoning her husband that best of
Men went sailing off to the shores of Troy and never spent a thought on her child or loving parents:
when the goddess seduced her wits and
Left her to wander,
She forgot them all, she could not remember anything but longing, and lightly straying
Aside, lost her way. But that reminds me know: Anaktoria,
She’s not here, and I’d rather see her lovely step,
her sparkling glance and her face than gaze on
All the troops in Lydia in their chariots and glittering armour. (Powell: 1993: cf. Miller: 1996, 54))

Alcaeus fr. 42:

Such a story, because of the baneful deeds bitter anguish came to

Priam and all his sons, out from you Helen,
With fire Zeus destroyed holy Ilium.
A different kind was she whom Aiakos’ galiant son,
Inviting all the Blessed to the wedding feast
 Brought into marriage from the halls of Nereus,
A pure maiden.

Out of the house of Chiron, he loosened the pure maiden’s

Girdle, and love blossomed for Peleus
And the best of the Nereus’ daughters:

In a year she gave birth to a son, best of the demi-gods,

Marvel driver of tawny horses
But these were ruined for Helen’s sake
The Phrygians and their city. (Newington: 2012; Cf. Miller: 1996, 40)

Semonides fr. 7.115-118:

Ζευς γαρ μεγιστον τουτ’ εποιησεν κακον

Και δεσμοω αμφεθηκεν αρρηκτον πεδης
Εξ ου τε τους μεν Αιδης εδεξατο
Γθναικος εινεκ αμφιδηριωμενους

Zeus has made no greater evil than this,

And he has bound us to them with unbreakable shackles,
Since Hades received those
Who having fought for a woman’s sake (Newington: 2012)

Alcaeus fragment 283

… and fluttered the heart of Argive Helen
In her breast. Maddened with passion for a the man
From troy, the traitor guest, she followed him
Over the sea in his ship,

Leaving her child at home…

And her husband’s richly covered bed…
… her heart persuaded by desire
….

..many of his brothers the dark

Earth holds fast, ;aid low on the Trojan plain
For that woman’s sake,

And many chariots in the dust…

… and many flashing eyed…
…trampled, the slaughter…. (Miller: 1996, 45)