One of the most lovely woman in all of Greece, Leda, wife of King Tyndareus, and her maidens spent every warm day bathing and lounging on the banks of the Eurotas River. The lovely women felt safe from prying eyes for no man would venture near the site for fear of the King. However, no power on earth can hide such beauty from the prying eyes of the son of Cronos. For many a day eagle-eyed Zeus watched the beautiful maidens, particularly Leda, never turning his gaze until they had all dressed and started for home.

One day Zeus' desire overtook him and he decided to act. Quicker then a lighting bolt, Zeus came down to the lazy Eurotas, just upstream from the lovely bathers. Once the Wily Son of Cronos touched the water, a great dark cloud enveloped him and he transformed into a large and majestic swan.

Slowly, for fear of frightening the lovely ladies, Zeus made his way down the stream toward Leda and her maidens. Before long, all the women were staring at the magnificent swan for none had ever seen the like. Leda was quickly overcome by his charm and longed to run her hands over the soft snow-white feathers and to hold the majestic swan against her. Her breathing became pronounced and her heart pounded in her chest like a war drum. She was soon completely enchanted by the King of Olympus.

The swan came ever closer until he was within touching distance of the lovely Queen. She reached out and stroked the swan's majestic neck and felt the soft white feathers. Soon, before she realized, not that she could have resisted, Zeus had accomplished his task and disappeared in a haze of fragrant smoke.

Exactly nine months later Leda gave birth to a giant egg. The egg was immediately broken open and two babies came tumbling out, a boy and a girl. Tyndareus accepted the children as his own, even though he had cause to doubt. The boy he named Polydeuces and the girl he named Helen. Leda's labors were not yet complete for later the same day she gave birth to another boy and girl. These twins were the King's for he had lain with his wife that same night after Zeus had his way with her. The boy he named Castor and the girl he named Clytemnestra.

This is an extract from a summary of the events
that occurred before the Trojan War,
© Richard Koshak, and included here with his permission
The continuation of thisstory may be found on his web site.