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Mythology Series  |  Oenone & Paris

“ She leapt upon his funeral pile,

And mixt herself with him and past in fire.

— The Death of Oenone, Alfred Tennyson

Though little is known about her, Oenone was the first lover and wife of Prince Paris of Troy. Born a mountain nymph, she was skilled in the arts of prophecy and medicine. When Paris betrayed their marriage and lusted after Helen of Sparta, she was among the first to predict the Trojan war which would follow the abduction of Helen. Embittered by his betrayal, and burdened by the shame of rejection, Oenone refused to help the mortally wounded Paris when he came to her begging for her healing. When he died, Oenone was devastated by the loss of her husband and remorse overcame her. In a final act of devotion she threw herself upon Paris’ funeral pyre to join him in death.