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Glite Dictionary
Menelaus

Menelaus

7 9.9
A king of Sparta during the Trojan War who is Helen's husband
  • proper noun
  • /ˌmɛnəˈleɪəs/
  • Literature
: Menelao
  • The princes and their men besieged Troy for ten years until Helen was rescued and restored to Menelaus.

And they get extremely angry at at Menelaus and Agamemnon and at Odysseus.

Examples

  • By now, Menelaus has gone to Agamemnon.

    Troy (2004)

  • If we send her home to Menelaus, he will follow her.

    Troy (2004)

  • Tomorrow morning, I will challenge Menelaus for the right to Helen.

    Troy (2004)

  • And you understand that Menelaus, the king of Sparta, is a very powerful man.

    Troy (2004)

  • Menelaus was glad to see Paris because he expected revenge at last and leaped from his chariot in full armor.

    Academic text (2008)

  • But when godlike Paris saw Menelaus appearing among the foremost, his heart sank, and he slunk back among his comrades.

    Academic text (2008)

  • In Greek mythology, Menelaus was the king of Sparta and the husband of Helen.

  • When the war began, Menelaus sought to reclaim Helen from Paris.

  • Many tales recount the bravery of Menelaus during the Trojan War.

Surface Forms

Menelaus main

Etymology

Menelaus probably comes from the Greek parts menos 'strength' and laos 'people'. So you can remember his name as 'the people's strength', which fits a king who leads Sparta and fights to win back Helen.