Editing Nemesis (section)

=== Nemesis and Zeus ===
In some less common traditions, it is Nemesis, rather than the mortal Spartan queen [[Leda (mythology)|Leda]], who is the mother of [[Helen of Troy]]. This narrative is first found in the lost epic ''[[Cypria]]'', the prelude of the ''[[Iliad]]''. According to its author, [[Stasinus of Cyprus]], Helen was born from the rape of Nemesis by Zeus. Zeus fell in love with Nemesis, here possibly presented as his own daughter,{{efn|In his translation of the passage, [[Hugh Evelyn-White|Hugh G. Evelyn-White]] wrote that Nemesis tried to escape from "''her'' father Zeus", taking the ancient text to imply more than a casual usage of "father Zeus", which would provide an explanation for the shame and anger Nemesis feels. At the same time it has been argued that the impending rape is enough for Nemesis to react in such a manner, and it is rather far-fetched to suggest that incest (and the taboo against it) is the leading theme of the narrative.<ref>{{cite book | title = The Transformations of Helen: Indo-European Myth and the Roots of the Trojan Cycle | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=tJaSTyuMmw4C | publisher = J.H.Röll Verlag | date = 2006 | isbn = 978-3-89754-260-0 | location = Germany | volume = 23 | first = Peter | last = Jackson | page = [https://books.google.com/books?id=tJaSTyuMmw4C&pg=PA37 37-38]}}</ref>}} and pursued her, only for her to flee in shame. She took several forms to escape Zeus, but he eventually captured her and forced himself on her.<ref name=":stas">[[Stasinus of Cyprus]] or Hegesias of [[Aegina]], ''[[Cypria]]'' Fragment [https://archive.org/details/hesiodhomerichym1914hesi/page/498/mode/2up?view=theater 8]</ref>

Apollodorus speaks of a single transformation, into a goose, while Zeus turned into a swan to hunt her down and raped her, producing an egg that was given to the queen of Sparta; Helen hatched from the egg, and was raised by Leda.<ref>Apollodorus, ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Bibliotheca]]'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+3.10.7&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022 3.10.7]</ref><ref>(Apollodorus) R. Scott Smith, Stephen Trzaskoma, and Hyginus. ''Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology''. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub., 2007:60.</ref> In another variation, Zeus desired Nemesis, but could not persuade her to sleep with him. So he tasked [[Aphrodite]] to transform into an eagle and mock-chase him, while he transformed into a swan. Nemesis, pitying the poor swan, offered it refuge in her arms, and fell into a deep sleep. While asleep, Zeus raped her and in time she bore an egg which was transported to Leda by [[Hermes]]. Leda then raised Helen as her own.<ref>Hyginus, ''Astronomica'' [https://topostext.org/work/207#2.8.1 2.8.1]</ref> According to [[Eratosthenes]] in his ''[[Catasterismi]]'', this version was presented by [[Cratinus]].{{sfn|Lamari|Montanari|Novokhatko|2020|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=B773DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA110 110–112]}}