Trojan Women by Euripides (415 BCE)

Euripides is not a big fan of war if 'Trojan Woman" is any indication.  It takes place at the end of the ten year war between the Greeks and the people of Troy.  The Greeks have prevailed--it is very hard to way 'won' because at some point mid-war, almost everyone of note has been killed.  But Odysseus did manage the final nail in the Trojan coffin with a large horse filled not with adoration to Athena but with Greek soldiers, who killed the men and raped the women.  Oh that those aspects of war are behind us, but we know quite well that they are not.

This is the third in a trilogy of plays about the Trojan War, and it is told from the perspective of the Trojan women, who are learning their ultimate fate--who will they go with, in what role, and where will they end up.  While Cassandra correctly foresees the outcome, no one believes her (the curse of Apollo), the interesting part comes after Hecuba chastises Helen for leaving her husband, traveling with Paris to Troy and starting the whole thing.  Never mind that she was cursed by Aphrodite and had no free will.  Never mind that Paris made the choice that brought about the ruin of Troy.

 Helen fights back.  She reminds Hecuba that she knew the prophesy when Paris was born that he would bring about the defeat of Troy and yet she could not bring herself to end his life.  Who is to blame for that?  Surely not Helen.  In addition, Helen claims that she is actually the savior of Greece. Paris had been the judge of a beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Each of the three goddesses bribed the judge by promising to reward him if he gave her the prize. Hera promised to make him the ruler of Europe and Asia. Athena promised to make him a mighty commander who would conquer Greece. Aphrodite described Helen's beauty and promised Paris that Helen would be his wife. Paris decided in favor of Aphrodite, so he married Helen instead of conquering or ruling over Greece. In this way, Helen makes the case that Paris is to blame, and that she has in some way saved Greece.  She was a wily woman.