Lycaon (son of Priam)

In Greek mythology, as recorded in Homer's Iliad, Lycaon (/laɪˈkeɪən/; Ancient Greek: Λυκάων; gen.: Λυκάονος) was a son of Priam^[1] and Laothoe, daughter of the Lelegian king Altes.

Illustration of Lycaon on a globe in preparation for battle

Mythology[]

Lycaon was the half-brother of Hector.

Lycaon lent his cuirass to his brother Paris when he duelled against Menelaus, husband of Helen.^[2] On another occasion Apollo took the shape of Lycaon to address Aeneas.^[3]

During the Trojan War, Lycaon was captured by Achilles while cutting branches in Priam's orchard. Achilles sold him as a slave to Euneus of Lemnos, but Eetion of Imbros bought him, took him back to Troy, and restored him to his father.^[4]

Only twelve days later, he faced Achilles in battle, during Achilles' terrible wrath after the death of Patroclus. Lycaon grasped Achilles' knees and begged for mercy, either in exchange for a ransom or in memory of Patroclus' gentle nature; however, neither argument swayed Achilles, who slew him without pity.^[5][6]

Namesake[]

• 4792 Lykaon, Jovian asteroid named after Lycaon

See also[]

• List of children of Priam

Notes[]

References[]

• Homer, The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Homer, Homeri Opera in five volumes. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1920. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Pseudo-Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.

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