The Greek troops are waiting at with their ships, ready to sail for Troy, but are unable to depart due to a strange lack of wind. After consulting a seer, the Greek leaders learn that this is no mere meteorological abnormality but rather the will of a goddess, who is withholding the winds because the king had offended her. The seer informs the generals that in order to appease the goddess, the king must sacrifice his eldest daughter. In spite of his horror, he must consider this seriously because his assembled troops, who have been waiting on the beach and are increasingly restless, may rebel if their bloodlust is not satisfied. He sends a message to his wife, telling her to send their daughter to the harbour, on the pretext that the girl is to be married to a very famous warrior before he sets off to fight in the foreign lands. The daughter is thrilled at the prospect of marrying one of the great heroes of the Greek army, but she, her mother, and the ostensible groom-to-be soon discover the truth.