Helen and Parisdetails

Helen and Paris

Out of copyright (called public domain in the USA), hence royalty-free stock image for all purposes usage credit requested
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This is a scene from ancient Greece and the Trojan War. Paris, a young prince from the city-state of Troy, was given the beautiful Helen by the goddess Aphrodite to be his wife. Unfortunately Helen was already married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. Menelaus was unhappy about losing his beautiful wife, and a war broke out.

Whether any of this is remotely true we will never know. However, the picture shows Paris, wearing a scarlet cap and with cloth draped over his crotch, but barefoot and bare-chested, playing a harp. Helen, topless and barefoot, sits next to him, somewhat more modestly covered in a blue skirt. They are sitting on a stone bench (or sarcophagus!) next to a pond with a swan in it, symbolizing royalty. Beside them is a water-fountain, and behind them we see Greek columns and perhaps the roof of a temple. There seem to be a lot of palm leaves, and perhaps some aloe vera. The two topless lovers are nestled arm in arm.

helen, paris, troy, ancient greece, mythology, gardens, men, weomen, lovers, romance, swans, birds, ponds

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