TROS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Tros in Greek Mythology

Tros was a king of Dardania in Greek mythology, and the man who ultimately gave his name to the Trojan people. 

Tros of Dardania

Tros was the son of King Erichthonius of Dardania, by the Naiad nymph Astyoche, and was thus grandson of Dardanus, the eponymous founder of Dardania. 
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Tros would marry Callirrhoe, the Naiad nymph daughter of the Potamoi Scamander, and would become father to three sons, Ilus, Assaracus and Ganymede, and potentially two daughters, Cleomestra and Cleopatra. 

Tros Father of Ganymede

In Greek mythology, Tros was primarily famous for appearing in the tale of Ganymede. The handsome prince Ganymede would be abducted by Zeus, to become cup-bearer of the gods. 

Unaware of the fate the had befallen his son, Tros grieved as if he were dead. Zeus looked down upon the king from Mount Olympus and took pity upon him. 

Hermes was dispatched to inform Tros of the wonderful fate that had befallen his son, for Tros was told that Ganymede had been made immortal and never aging by the gods. 

Tros was then compensated for the loss of his son with two horses that were so swift that they could run across water. Additionally, Tros was also given a golden vine. 
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After the abduction of Ganymede, and the later death of Tros, the royal families of the cities of Troy and Dardania would descend from Tros, via Ilus and Assaracus respectively. 

​The Eponymous Tros

Tros would give his name to the city of Troy, the Trojan people, and the wider region of the Troad, in Greek mythology, although all of this may have occurred after his death. 

His son, Ilus, would found a city named initially Ilion, or Ilium, which was they changed to Troy in honour of ilus’ father Tros, with the Trojan people and the Troad subsequently named. 

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Colin Quartermain - Tros - 28th December 2020