Leda (mythology)
| Leda | |
|---|---|
Spartan Queen | |
| Abode | Aetolia, Sparta |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Althaea, Iphiclus, Plexippus, Hypermnestra, Evippus, and Eurypylus |
| Spouse | Tyndareus |
| Offspring | Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux |
In Greek mythology, Leda (/ˈliːdə, ˈleɪ-/; Ancient Greek: Λήδα [lɛ́ːdaː]), also rendered Lede, was an Aetolian princess who became queen consort of Sparta through her marriage to King Tyndareus. Zeus fell in love with Leda, and to avoid his wife Hera's jealousy, raped her while disguised as a swan. Leda was named as the mother of four famous children in Greek mythology: Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, and the twins Castor and Pollux. Leda and the Swan was a popular motif in the visual arts, particularly during the Renaissance.