Summary

Part I of Clytemnestra recounts Clytemnestra's early years as a princess of Sparta. The novel opens with Clytemnestra reminiscing about a ravine in Sparta near her home where she, throughout her childhood, would see weak children and failed warriors thrown to their deaths. This is typical of the ruthless and violent ancient Greek culture the novel depicts.

In Chapter 1, Clytemnestra spends her time with her siblings and other prominent children of Spartan families. Daughter to King Tyndareus and Queen Leda, she is one of seven siblings: Helen, Timandra, Castor, Polydeuces, Philonoe, and Phoebe. She is particularly close with her sister Helen and her brother Castor. Helen is famous in the kingdom and throughout the world for her beauty, and Castor is one of the most sought after bachelors in the kingdom. Helen is sweet and sensitive where Castor is witty and lighthearted. Clytemnestra...