Helen's twin was Clytemnestra.
Clytemnestra is widely known in Greek mythology as the twin half-sister of Helen of Troy. Both were daughters of Leda, though their paternity differed in various accounts: Helen was typically considered the daughter of Zeus, while Clytemnestra was the daughter of Tyndareus. Despite this difference in parentage, they were born from the same mythical union or event and are consistently referred to as twins.
The Family of Helen and Clytemnestra
Helen and Clytemnestra shared their mother, Leda. Their father, Tyndareus, was the king of Sparta and the husband of Leda. However, in the myth surrounding Helen's birth, Zeus, disguised as a swan, impregnated Leda, resulting in Helen and Pollux. From the same union, Leda also bore Clytemnestra and Castor, who were children of Tyndareus. This complex lineage made Helen and Clytemnestra "twin half-sisters" and Castor and Pollux "full-brother and half-brother respectively" to Clytemnestra.
To clarify their familial connections, here's a breakdown based on Clytemnestra's family:
| Relationship to Clytemnestra | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Tyndareus | King of Sparta, husband of Leda |
| Mother | Leda | Queen of Sparta |
| Twin Half-Sister | Helen of Troy | Famous for her abduction (or elopement) that sparked the Trojan War |
| Full Brother | Castor | One of the Dioscuri, known for horsemanship, son of Leda and Tyndareus |
| Half-Brother | Pollux | One of the Dioscuri, known for boxing, son of Leda and Zeus (making him half-brother to Clytemnestra) |
The Sisters' Destinies
While Helen's story is inextricably linked to the Trojan War and her beauty, Clytemnestra's narrative primarily revolves around her marriage to Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae and leader of the Achaeans in the Trojan War. Her tragic story often involves themes of vengeance and power, contrasting with Helen's role as a catalyst for conflict. Both sisters played pivotal, albeit very different, roles in the epic sagas of ancient Greece.
