Destiny's child: Hermione in Colluthus' Abduction of Helen - Marcelina Gilka (PhD, Exeter)

Around 500 AD Colluthus of Lycopolis (in Egypt) wrote a short epic poem entitled The Abduction of Helen, treating the mythical events which ultimately lead to the Trojan War. Towards the end of the piece he introduces Helen's little daughter Hermione and dedicates a significant portion of the text to her lament after she has discovered her mother's elopement. This is a great innovation by the poet, as that particular part of the story had not received such detailed attention from any previous author. My paper is going to give a close reading of the relevant passage and attempt a cultural-historical interpretation.