Who is Polyxena?
Polyxena is one of the daughters of Priam, the king of Ilion who fought in the Trojan War, and of Hecuba, his wife. There are several versions of her story: in one, she and Achilles fall in love, and in despair at the death of her prince, Polyxena pierces her breast on his tomb. The second version is more bloody: after the Greeks' victory over the Trojans, Polyxena is sacrificed on Achilles' tomb, by immolation, to appease the gods.
Her name has been mentioned in several works of ancient literature, notably by Sophocles, Euripides, Virgil, Seneca, Ovid... her sacrifice is often highlighted. However, her story is often told in terms of her relationship with the men around her. Who was Polyxena really?
the sacrifice of Polyxena, Pittoni
What evidence is there that Polyxena was an independent woman? First of all, Polyxena was known for her beauty. In the Aeneid, Aeneas meets her, and speaks of her in these terms: "Her beauty was like a divine image, her eyes shone like stars, her hair floated around her head like a golden cloud". Apart from the erotic elements involved with the men of her time, Polyxena was described as a woman with an advantageous physique, but which clearly did not reflect her personality. She was a woman who shone with intelligence and empathy, who had her own desires, her own desires, her own struggles. Polyxena was an intelligent, wise and empathetic woman. Several literary texts show these defining qualities of Polyxena: - In Euripides' Trojan Women, Polyxena is the only one who understands that she will be sacrificed by Neoptolemos, the son of Achilles. Far from moping about her fate, she asks her mother not to cry. She tries to preserve and support her family. Beyond her enlightened intelligence, she is an unfailing support to the people she loves, and brings comfort. - In Ovid's Metamorphoses, her wisdom is highlighted. She accepts her fate of sacrifice, knowing that she can do nothing in this man's world, but asks not to be killed in front of her father's tomb, out of respect for her family. Her vision of life is exceptional, altruistic, comforting. Polyxena fought to defend Troy, her homeland. Polyxena's patriotism is often mentioned. However, as war is a highly masculinised event, women were often excluded from participation. Yet, it is likely that as an independent and strong woman, she decided to take up arms to defend her home city. In the Library of Apollodorus, it is mentioned that Polyxena fought alongside her brother Hector against the Greeks. Although she is not described as a great warrior, her strength of character is one of her many qualities. So, although Polyxena is often portrayed as a victim of the Trojan War, there are character traits that can help us understand who she was as a human being, as a woman. Polyxena was an intelligent, wise woman, respected and listened to by her peers, male and female. She was a thinking woman, able to understand political issues as well as religious issues. She had her own voice and was not dominated by the opinions of the men around her. Moreover, she was a courageous, strong woman who fought for her opinions, for freedom, and who accepted her fate with dignity, bringing comfort to her loved ones in the evening. These qualities make Polyxena a strong, determined woman who lived with wisdom and moderation, an inspiring feminist figure who deserves to be celebrated as such.
Polyxena, the sacrifice of her life does not have to be the sacrifice of her story.