What Happened to Paris and Helen After the Fall of Troy?

By Alice Nichols

After the fall of Troy, the fate of Paris and Helen is a mystery. It is believed that they fled together to Egypt, seeking refuge from the wrath of the Greeks.

The Trojan War

The Trojan War was fought between the Greeks and the Trojans over the abduction of Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, had taken her away with him to Troy. This led to a ten-year-long war that ultimately ended in the fall of Troy.

The Escape

Legend has it that after Troy fell, Paris and Helen escaped together to Egypt. According to some accounts, they were shipwrecked on their way but eventually made it to Egypt.

Life in Egypt

Once in Egypt, Paris and Helen were welcomed by King Proteus. He gave them sanctuary and allowed them to live peacefully in his land. Some stories suggest that Paris died soon after their arrival while others claim he lived for several years.

Helen stayed on in Egypt even after Paris’ death. She married King Proteus’ son and became his queen. She was said to have been loved by her new husband who treated her with kindness and respect.

The Return

In some versions of the story, Menelaus heard about Helen’s whereabouts and sailed to Egypt to bring her back home. He met with Proteus who agreed to let him take her back as long as she consented.

Helen agreed to return with Menelaus but not before Proteus gave them many gifts including a ship laden with treasure.

Conclusion

The fate of Paris and Helen after the fall of Troy remains shrouded in mystery. While some legends suggest they lived out their lives peacefully in Egypt, others claim they met with a tragic end.

Regardless of what happened to them, the story of Paris and Helen continues to fascinate us even today. It serves as a reminder of the power of love and its ability to transcend even the most devastating of wars.