Topics of Invention prove Helen's Innocence

From the beginning of the "encomium of Helen" Gorgais uses the comparison topic of invention, specifically the similarity and difference subtopic.  Gorigas explains compares a well-manned city to a beautiful body, a soul full of wisdom, and an excellent deed. By using these  comparisons, we the audience can get a glimpse into the what the Greeks valued and thought were of a higher value. It also shows us the thought process and the reasoning behind his argument that Helen is innocent; he first states common truths that society would accept.

Bringing up her heritage and naming her parents, Tyndareus and Zeus, tied in the testimony topic of invention, especially the supernatural subtopic. Calling upon gods or deity is exactly what this topic of invention id defined as. It looks past reasoning and uses the existence of an all-powerful being to explain the discourse of events. Gorgias uses Helen's parents and their power and beauty, that was then passed onto her, as a reasoning behind her infidelity. She could not help it if men looked to her with absolute beauty and lust, she was born with it and there is nothing that shoe could have done differently that would have changed the outcome of the situation.

In conclusion, Gorgais uses these topics of invention to help defend Helen and make it known that she was not to blame. This is the exact objective of the judicial oratory which is clearly evident in this encomium. Gorgias is looking to past events in order to defend Helen's case. Although Helen was not alive at the time that Gorgias wrote his encomium, he is making an effort to avenge her, and bring justice to her name by pleading her casse to the public, and persuading them to believe that she is innocent and should not be blames for the Trojan War.