KING ILUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ilus is a name given to several different figures from Greek mythology, although the most famous Ilus was a founding king of Ancient Greek; Ilus founding the city of Ilium (Troy)
Ilus and the House of Troy
The story of Ilus begins in Dardania, for Ilus was the eldest son of King Tros and the Naiad Callirhoe, and therefore brother to Assaracus and Ganymede.
Ilus was probably named for Ilus, son of Dardanus. This second Ilus was the eldest son of Dardanus and Bateia, and heir to the throne of Dardania, but having predeceased his father, the throne instead went to Erichthonius, grandfather of the more famous Ilus.
Ilus was probably named for Ilus, son of Dardanus. This second Ilus was the eldest son of Dardanus and Bateia, and heir to the throne of Dardania, but having predeceased his father, the throne instead went to Erichthonius, grandfather of the more famous Ilus.
Ilus the Wrestler
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The prince of Dardania would excel at hunting and athletics, and recognition for the skill of Ilus came at games held by one of the kings of Phrygia. The host of the games is not told, although Tantalus was a king of Phrygia at around the same time.
At the games, Ilus won the wrestling event, and was awarded the prize of 50 youths and 50 maidens. |
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The king of Phyrgia had also been advised by an Oracle to give Ilus an additional prize of a cow; and the king told Ilus that he should build a new city where the cow came to rest. This idea has much in keeping with Cadmus and the founding of Thebes.
Ilus the Founder of Ilium
Ilus did as the king of Phrygia suggested, and he and his entourage followed the cow until it came to rest at the foothills of the Ate. Ilus then sought some assurances from the gods that this was indeed the place where he was expected to build a new city.
In response to his prayers, Zeus threw the Palladium from Mount Olympus, and the wooden statue crafted by Athena, landed in front of the tent of Ilus. When Ilus looked upon the statue though he was blinded for mortals were not meant to look upon. Ilus though successfully prayed to Athena for the restoration of his sight, and then set about building a temple in which the Palladium could be housed, and a new city quickly took shape.
The new city would by called Ilion/Ilium in recognition of the man who founded it.
In response to his prayers, Zeus threw the Palladium from Mount Olympus, and the wooden statue crafted by Athena, landed in front of the tent of Ilus. When Ilus looked upon the statue though he was blinded for mortals were not meant to look upon. Ilus though successfully prayed to Athena for the restoration of his sight, and then set about building a temple in which the Palladium could be housed, and a new city quickly took shape.
The new city would by called Ilion/Ilium in recognition of the man who founded it.
King Ilus
Ilus was rightfully proud of the city that he had built and when his father Tros died, Ilus decided not to return to Dardania to take up the throne. Instead, Ilus made his brother Assaracus king of Dardania, whilst Ilus remained king of Ilium; thus, the Trojan people now had two strong cities.
Some ancient sources tell of how it was the military endeavour of Ilus on the Troad that saw Pelops depart the region and travel to Grecian Pisa.
The city of Ilium would be renamed Troy when it became the main city of the Trojan people, in preference to Dardania; the name of Troy being taken in recognition of Ilus’ father Tros.
Ilus would marry Eurydice, the daughter of King Adrastus of Argos. By Eurydice, Ilus would become father to the future king of Troy, Laomedon, and grandfather to another king of the city Priam.
Ilus also had two daughters Themiste, who married Capys the son of Assaracus, who became mother to Anchises, and Telecleia, who married King Cisseus of Thrace.
Some ancient sources tell of how it was the military endeavour of Ilus on the Troad that saw Pelops depart the region and travel to Grecian Pisa.
The city of Ilium would be renamed Troy when it became the main city of the Trojan people, in preference to Dardania; the name of Troy being taken in recognition of Ilus’ father Tros.
Ilus would marry Eurydice, the daughter of King Adrastus of Argos. By Eurydice, Ilus would become father to the future king of Troy, Laomedon, and grandfather to another king of the city Priam.
Ilus also had two daughters Themiste, who married Capys the son of Assaracus, who became mother to Anchises, and Telecleia, who married King Cisseus of Thrace.
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