Theonoe

Also known as: Eidothea · Family: Egyptian · Role: prophetess · First appears: Euripides, Helen — Scene 1

Theonoe, also known as Eidothea, is an Egyptian prophetess, the daughter of Proteus and Psamathe and sibling of Theoclymenus. In her infancy, her father called her Eidothea, but when she matured she was given the name Theonoe; she inherited her prophetic privilege from Nereus.

In Scene 4, Theonoe reveals to Helen that Menelaus is alive and nearing Egypt after many hardships. Helen and Menelaus then seek her silence so they can escape, knowing that “All things she knows” and that their safety depends on her cooperation. She explains that Hera seeks to return them to Sparta while Aphrodite opposes their return, and that she can either expose Menelaus to Theoclymenus or conceal him and save his life.

When Helen becomes her suppliant, Theonoe chooses to protect the couple. She agrees with what Menelaus has said at Proteus’ tomb and refuses to support Theoclymenus’s injustice, telling them, “Therefore find / Means to escape yourselves; for I will hence / Depart in silence.” In Scene 11, Theoclymenus calls her a betrayer and attempts to kill her, but the chorus prevents him.