**Classical Greeks on Trial: Who Was Helen of Troy?**
Today we think of Helen of Troy as the woman who launched a thousand ships. But Helen’s myth began over 3,000 years ago in *The Iliad*, where a ten-year war is fought to retrieve her from Troy after her infamous abduction from her husband—or was it an elopement?

Was Helen a pawn, a femme fatale, or simply a scapegoat for war and ambition? This talk traces the evolution of her image—from Homer’s conflicted heroine to Euripides’ wildly contradictory versions, including the claim that Helen never went to Troy at all. Along the way, we’ll explore how her story raises timeless questions: Can beauty be innocent? Can someone be guilty without action? And who has the authority to shape a woman’s legacy?

Part myth, part moral investigation, this lecture invites you to reconsider everything you thought you knew about Helen—and decide for yourself whether the real Helen will ever stand up.

sheryl  Harawitz

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I was trained in developmental psychology but spent much of my career in research before finally settling into information technology. Since retiring, I’ve returned to a long-standing passion: studying and teaching the unfolding development of society as seen through ancient texts and archaeology.

What began as a personal pursuit has become a shared exploration with other curious learners. Together, we engage in deep, collaborative readings—not to find definitive answers, but to ask better questions. The texts I once thought I understood have taken on entirely new dimensions, reminding me that development doesn’t end—it simply shifts direction and emphasis.

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This talk is part of the 🧠 **NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference 2025** (#NYCPPRC2025).
For full event details—including venue, schedule, and attendance info—visit:
👉 [https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/308631821/](https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/308631821/)
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Sheryl Harawitz

Classical Greeks on Trial: Who Was Helen of Troy?

Pier 57

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Classical Greeks on Trial: Who Was Helen of Troy?

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