Psappha's opinion of the Trojan war

Excerpted from SAPPHO SINGS

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Psappha took exception to Alkaios' opinion of the Trojan War. "You are a greater fool than I thought, you insufferable sot. Do you actually believe that men fought for ten years over a silly king's faithless wife, and nothing more? Look at the story! What do you have? As men tell it, you have supposedly intelligent men, of all cities, dying to defend the honor of one minor king who was not man enough to keep his wife at home, while quarreling among themselves for the privilege of despoiling women other men thought they owned.
"I tell you, Helen was a woman in love, nothing more. Menelaus and his greedy brother wanted control of the Hellespont and used her as an excuse, as if men ever need an excuse for their bloodthirsty games of grab and grovel."
"Surely you aren't saying that Helen had no part in it," Alkaios slurred.

"Of course she had a part," Psappha admitted, accenting with a wave of her arm that sent wine slopping onto the hearth without her notice. "Of course she had a part, but who are we to say what that part was? Who are we to judge her? Who are we to pretend to know what those who knew her thought of her? History is a plague if you take it without question.

"Homer was a man, or men, no one is sure. What can a man know of a woman's mind? Can you claim to comprehend the many facets of mine? No. Of course, you can't. Nor I yours. But, I ask you, Kios, how might the story read if written by a woman's hand. How would the years of battle sound if told by Helen or Klytemnestra? What might Penelope have had to say about Odysseus' adventures? In her version, might not her troubles exceed his in import? History is written, and oft revised, by men, Alkaios, and men, when it comes to their precious honor, are unmitigated fools."

"Ah, Spha, you make me glad I'm dishonorable." Alkaios laughed. Four empty flagons flanked the one with which he had originated the discussion.

Author's Note

Although this is excerpted from a published work, all suggestions for improvement will be useful tools toward future writing. Thank you.