Second episode.—The herald describes to the chorus the complete downfall of Troy, which came as a punishment for the sin of Paris and of the nation which upheld him in it. At the same time the sufferings of the Greeks during the progress of the war are not forgotten. Clytemnestra, entering, prompted by her own guilty conscience, bids the herald tell Agamemnon to hasten home, and take to him her own protestation of absolute faithfulness to him:
who has not broken
One seal of his in all this length of time.
The herald, in response to further questions of the chorus, describes the great storm which wrecked the Greek fleet upon their homeward voyage.
Second episode.—Eurybates announces to Clytemnestra the return and approach of Agamemnon, and describes the terrible storm which overtook the Greeks upon their homeward voyage. At the command of the queen victims are prepared for sacrifice to the gods, and a banquet for the victorious Agamemnon. At last the captive Trojan women headed by Cassandra are seen approaching.
Second choral interlude.—The chorus sings of Helen as the bane of the Trojans:
Dire cause of strife with bloodshed in her train.
And now
The penalty of foul dishonor done
To friendship's board and Zeus