Leda

Reading notes

• The Loves §1.3 river-bird

  The Spartan queen Leda, won by Jupiter disguised as a swan; she is the unnamed subject 'tricked as a river-bird.'

• The Art of Love §3.13 Leda

  Loved by Jupiter as a swan, mother of Helen; named among the surpassingly beautiful.

• The Heroides §8 Leda

  Mother of Helen, who prayed to the gods and to Jove (her lover in swan-shape) at the abduction.

• The Heroides §16 Leda

  Mother of Helen, embraced by Jove in swan-form; Venus invokes 'fair Leda' in her promise.

• The Heroides §17 Leda

  Helen's mother, deceived by Jove in swan-shape; she gives Helen a divine father.

• Metamorphoses §6.129 Leda

  Queen of Sparta whom Jupiter approached in the form of a swan; mother of Helen, Clytemnestra, and the Dioscuri.