Helen

Isocrates, Vol. 3. Van Hook, Larue, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1945 (printing).

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This work is a rhetorical speech (epideixis) centered on Helen, the legendary beauty of Greek myth, aimed at demonstrating the true value of eloquence and beauty. The author begins by severely criticizing the sophists for wasting time on trivial disputes and easy paradoxes, arguing instead for the necessity of tackling grand and difficult subjects. As an introduction to Helen's praise, he details the extraordinary virtues and achievements of the hero Theseus, who was captivated by her beauty. He then defends Paris's judgment in choosing Helen and frames the Trojan War as a monumental struggle between Europe and Asia over the ultimate value of beauty. Finally, he portrays beauty as a divine force that captivates even the gods, concluding that Helen's radiant presence united Greece and enabled its triumph over foreign adversaries.