MENALAUS Brother to Agamemnon, Menalaus ruled over Sparta with his wife, the immortal Helen. Thither came Paris from Troy, and after ingratiating himself with the king, took the opportunity to abscond with Helen, with whom he had fallen in love. Menalaus then called on all of Helen's previous suitors to honour the vow they had taken at the girl's choice of him:to render aid to her husband whenever he needed it. Gathering a fleet, he proceeded to Troy, where Paris and Helen had fled, and laid siege to the city.After years of war, the city was finally taken, sacked, its defenders put to death, and Menalaus, reconciling himself to his now penitent wife, took Helen with him back to Sparta.