Proteus (2)

The name of several of the Egyptian kings mentioned by the historian Herodotus.

One king Proteus played an important role in the kidnapping of Helen of Argos; Herodotus relates that Alexandros (Paris) and Helen did not sail directly to the city of Troy after they fled Sparta with Helen’s dowry; contrary winds forced them to Egypt and into the Nile River; there was a shrine to Herakles (Hercules) in that part of Egypt where slaves could seek sanctuary; Alexandros’ slaves deserted their master and, with the protection of the shrine, denounced Alexandros and told the local governor the circumstances under which Helen had been taken from her home.

When Proteus heard the story, he had Alexandros and Helen brought before him for judgment; he questioned Alexandros as to how he and Helen came to be in Egypt; Alexandros lied to Proteus but the slaves revealed the truth to the king; Proteus declared that Helen would be given asylum in Egypt until her husband came to get her but he was very angry with Alexandros and said that he would have had killed him if he were not a guest in his country; Proteus gave Alexandros three days to leave Egypt or his life would be forfeit.

• Histories, book 2, chapters 112-120