The Transformations of Helen

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements I. INTRODUCTION The Prehistory of Greek Mythology and Poetics The Indo-European Heritage The “Cyclic” Tradition II. FATHER HEAVEN, HEAVEN’S DAUGHTER, AND THE DIVINE TWINS The Rape of Nemesis Shape-shifting, Rape, and Koros The Spartan Dawn Heaven’s Incest The Story of Saranyu Helen and Saranyu, eidolon and sávarna III. RETURNING HEROES Nestor, *nes, and the Nasatyas The Dioscuri as Rescuers at Sea The Story of Bhujyu and Indo-Iranian Rescue epyllia IV. EPILOGUE: THE ROOTS OF THE TROJAN CYCLE Abbreviations Bibliography