The image is inspired by John Dryden's poem "The Feast of Alexander" ("Thaïs led the Way / To light him to his Prey / And, like another Helen, fir'd another Troy'"),[4] which describes an episode of the second Greco-Persian war.

Hetera Tais, who accompanied the Macedonian army, at a victorious feast after the capture of the Achaemenid capital of Persepolis, calls for burning the city, thus taking revenge on the Persians for the ruin of Greek cities.

Some researchers have suggested that Emma Lyon, also Greville's mistress and future Lady Hamilton, posed for the picture.

[5] The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1781 and provoked an ironic comment from one of the viewers, who claimed that the artist, having not received payment for his work from Emily, depicted her setting fire to the Temple of Chastity, indicating her status.

Some of Reynolds's acquaintances denied this story, however, as Phillippa Plock, former curator at Waddesdon Manor, notes, it is quite possible that the artist wanted the picture to be associated with women like Emily, when the very name of the famous hetaera meant a courtesan.