ILIONA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ilona was the name of a queen and princess in Greek mythology. A daughter of King Priam of Troy, Iliona would become queen of Thracian Chersonesus upon her marriage to Polymestor.
Iliona Daughter of King Priam
Iliona is commonly said to have been the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecabe, although her name is a relative late addition to the list of King Priam’s children. The names Iliona and Ilione are used interchangeably in the surviving tales of Greek mythology.
The name Iliona is of course reminiscent of Ilion, the previous name of Troy, given to it by Ilus on its founding.
The name Iliona is of course reminiscent of Ilion, the previous name of Troy, given to it by Ilus on its founding.
Iliona and Polymestor
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When of age, Iliona was effectively married off to Polymestor, king of Thracian Chersonesus. Polymestor was considered to be a friend of King Priam, as well as an ally, and the marriage of Polymestor and Iliona was done to cement the relationship between Troy and Thracian Chersonesus.
Iliona would bear to Polymestor one son, Deipylus, although Polymestor was known to have had at least two more sons as well. |
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Iliona and Polydorus
Iliona comes to prominence during the Trojan War, for as the Greek forces amass outside of Troy, King Priam decides that this youngest son Polydorus should be taken to a place of safety; Polydorus being little more than a baby at this point.
The refuge chosen for Polydorus is the court of Polymestor, and so Iliona become a surrogate mother for Polydorus, raising her brother alongside her own son Deipylus.
It is commonly said though, that Polymestor kills Polydorus when news of the fall of Troy reaches Thracian Chersonesus, and Iliona commits suicide when she hears of the death of her father King Priam, and the imprisonment of her mother Hecabe.
The refuge chosen for Polydorus is the court of Polymestor, and so Iliona become a surrogate mother for Polydorus, raising her brother alongside her own son Deipylus.
It is commonly said though, that Polymestor kills Polydorus when news of the fall of Troy reaches Thracian Chersonesus, and Iliona commits suicide when she hears of the death of her father King Priam, and the imprisonment of her mother Hecabe.
Iliona and the Death of Polymestor
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There is a less common story told about Iliona which embellishes the myth of her and Polydorus.
On receiving Polydorus into her care, Iliona made the decision to raise him as her own son Deipylus, whilst raising Deipylus as Polydorus. This decision was probably made to ensure that Priam and Hecabe could be presented with a son, once grown, if anything happened to either in childhood. Years later Polymestor decided that Polydorus must die, but when killed the son of Priam he was inadvertently killing his own son, Deipylus, because of the decision made years earlier by Iliona. Later, Polydorus, who believed himself to be Deipylus, son of Polymestor, travelled to Delphi to seek a consultation with the oracle. As was the way with Oracles the news given was not expected, for Polydorus was told that his father was dead, and his city had burnt to the ground. Polydorus quickly returned home, but even from afar he could see that his city still stood, and on entering the city, it became apparent that Polymestor was alive. It was then left to Iliona to explain to Polydorus his true heritage. It was then said by some that Iliona herself stabbed out the eyes of Polymestor, before Polydorus killed the king. As with the other version of the myth, Iliona then killed herself. |
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