Which figure is said to have launched a thousand ships?

The phrase "launched a thousand ships" refers to Helen of Troy, a key figure in Greco-Roman mythology and literature. Helen, known for her extraordinary beauty, was said to have been the cause of the Trojan War. Her abduction by Paris, prince of Troy, prompted the Greek city-states to unite and launch a massive expedition to retrieve her. This resulted in the deployment of a thousand ships to Troy, symbolizing the extreme lengths to which the Greeks went due to their desire to reclaim her.

Helen's role as the catalyst for this legendary conflict has made her an enduring symbol of beauty and the tumult that can ensue from desire. In mythology, her character is often depicted as both tragic and complex, illustrating themes of love, lust, and the human cost of war. Consequently, her association with the phrase emphasizes her significance in both historical narratives and cultural representations of love and conflict in mythology.