Introduction / Summary:
Homer never mentions Polyxena and we are never really told very much about her except that she was sacrificed to Achilles at the end of the war. The Aeneid by Virgil states that the Greek fleet set sail for Greece soon after her death. Nothing is said of her life before that... What was her personality? How did she live? This is my version of her story...
Sing O Muse,
Sing to us of the glorious gods,
who ruled the land and sea.
And tell us
Of the fair beauty of the goddesses
Who dwell in Eternal Olympus.
Sing to us, O Muse:
Of Ages that have come to pass,
Of those mighty warriors,
wielding their deadly spears,
From the lores
Of our Timeless Myths.
- unknown
Chapter One:
Bright rays peeked out over the dark water of the Aegean Sea illuminating the walls of the city of Troy as the sky in the east began to glow orange with return of the sun… Oh yes, this was indeed Polyxena's favorite time of day. She closed her eyes and lay down on the warm sand. Besides the soft noise of crashing surf at her feet, all that could be heard was the sound of the birds singing. Looking back at the city, Polyxena thought it looked very muck like a great jewel or star resting on the seashore. Mounting her great black stallion once more, she whispered quietly in its ear and at once he reared and broke off into a hard gallop along the shoreline. Polyxena's long, dark hair streamed out behind her and her emerald eyes glowed with pleasure. This was true freedom. She relished the early mornings when she was free of any duty inside the walls of the city. The sun was now high in the sky and her mother would soon be missing her… Polyxena reigned in her horse gently and took one last look at the sea before guiding him back in the direction of Troy. Moments later, she was inside the gates. Her brother Hector met her there,
"Well little sister," he said amiably as he helped her down from the horse. "How do you like him?" He stoked the shiny black coat of the stallion.
Polyxena threw her arms around her brother. "I like him very well, thank you."
"I hoped you would. However, I was a little concerned that he would be too large for you to handle." Hector confessed.
"No," Polyxena replied. "To be sure he is very sizeable, but he is a pleasure to ride."
At that moment, a bell sounded from the high tower of Troy,
"That will be Paris…" Hector said.
About a month ago, Polyxena's brother, Paris, had set off on an expedition to Salamis to bring back their aunt, Hesione. Many years before, the city of Troy had been ravaged by a terrifying sea monster. The monster had been sent by Poseidon, the sea god, to punish Polyxena's grandfather, King Laomedon. He had promised to pay the sea god for building the walls of the city of Troy. However, when the task was completed, King Laomedon refused to fulfill his side of the bargain. The great serpent rose everyday from the depths of the sea to wreak havoc on both the city and surrounding countryside. In a desperate attempt to appease Poseidon, Laomedon offered up his daughter, Hesione, as a sacrifice. Ultimately, Hesione was not sacrificed but saved by the hero Heracles. In his gratitude, King Laomedon offered her to Heracles as his wife. But since Heracles was already married, he gave her to his friend Telamon of Salamis. When Paris had first heard this tale, he vowed to go and retrieve Hesione. It was this voyage from which he was now returning to Troy.
"I had hoped he would not come back." Hector grumbled.
"Why should you hope that?" Polyxena asked curiously. "You have nothing to hold against our brother… After all, you are father's established favorite and heir to his throne…"
"Have you forgotten the prophecies spoken at Paris' birth?" Hector asked quietly.
Polyxena stiffened at the thought, "No. But why should that bother you? I mean, do you truly believe them?"
"If they are true (and we can never be too careful), Paris will be the cause of the destruction of Troy and its people."
Polyxena nodded slowly in agreement and opened her mouth to speak…but her answer was cut short by a palace servant rushing towards them. He bowed and addressed Hector,
"My prince, your most royal father commands your presence and the Lady Polyxena's at the palace immediately."
Hector thanked the messenger and gave Polyxena his hand,
"Come little sister…"
Polyxena smiled and accepted Hector's arm as they made their way to the centre of Troy where the royal palace stood. Upon entering the chamber where guests were received and audiences were held, Hector and Polyxena crossed the cool marble floor to where their father, King Priam, sat on his golden throne with his queen, Hecuba, by his side. Hector bowed and kissed his mother's hand and Polyxena sank down in a traditional curtsey. Hecuba motioned for her daughter to stand at her side along with her sisters. Creusa, Polyxena's eldest sister, leaned over and whispered to her,
"Paris' ship was sighted on the horizon. Now he will come to greet Father and give an account of his voyage."
"Let us hope it was a successful one," Polyxena whispered back.
At that moment, the great wooden doors of the hall were thrown open and Polyxena could see her brother Paris descending from his chariot outside in the street. Beside him was a heavily veiled woman.
Has he truly brought back Aunt Hesione? Polyxena wondered.
Paris and the mysterious woman entered the hall and Priam rose from his throne to come down the few steps and welcome his son home,
"Welcome home my son," he said as he embraced Paris.
Paris returned the embrace warmly, "Father."
Priam looked at the veiled woman standing respectfully behind.
"Have you succeeded in you mission, my son?"
"Indeed I have Father…beyond our wildest dreams."
Paris gestured for the woman to come forward and the woman lifted the veil concealing her face. Polyxena gasped. The woman was beautiful beyond compare. Her skin was white as alabaster and her eyes were deeper than the deep blue sea. She had a pleasing figure and appeared tall, stately, and queen-like. But her hair was the crowning glory. It was the color of spun gold and fell down past her waist… Hecuba rose from her seat and came down to where Priam stood as Paris presented her to them.
"May I introduce to you the woman who has consented to become my wife: Helen of Sparta."
After a moment of awkward silence, Hecuba said as she came forward to kiss Helen,
"My dear," she said. "You are welcome to our city."
Priam came and embraced her, too.
"I shall be proud to call you my daughter," he said kindly.
He clapped his hands and called for a servant. When the man appeared, Priam said,
"Let it be proclaimed that a great wedding feast shall be held very soon in honor of my son Paris and his bride, Helen of Troy!"
Hector and Polyxena exchanged secret glances while thinking the same thing.
This Spartan woman brings death and destruction to our family and our city.