Lycaon (son of Priam)
Encyclopedia
Lycaon in Greek mythology
, was a son of Priam
and Laothoe
. 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 and took him back to Troy. 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.
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, was a son of Priam
Priam
Priam was the king of Troy during the Trojan War and youngest son of Laomedon. Modern scholars derive his name from the Luwian compound Priimuua, which means "exceptionally courageous".- Marriage and issue :...
and Laothoe
Laothoe
In Greek mythology, Laothoe can refer to five women:*Laothoe, a wife of Priam, king of Troy, and mother of Lycaon. Her father was Altes, king of the Leleges.*Laothoe, one of the daughters of Thespius and Megamede...
. During the Trojan War
Trojan War
In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. The war is among the most important events in Greek mythology and was narrated in many works of Greek literature, including the Iliad...
, Lycaon was captured by Achilles
Achilles
In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.Plato named Achilles the handsomest of the heroes assembled against Troy....
while cutting branches in Priam's orchard. Achilles sold him as a slave to Euneus
Euneus
In Greek mythology, Euneus was a son of Jason and Queen Hypsipyle of Lemnos; he had a twin brother whose name is variously given as Nebrophon, Thoas or Deipylus. They were separated from their mother after she was exiled from the island for having spared her own father Thoas...
of Lemnos
Lemnos
Lemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
, but Eetion
Eetion (disambiguation)
Eëtion may refer to:In Greek mythology:*Eëtion, King of the Cilician Thebe mentioned in the Iliad.*Eëtion, ruler over the island of Imbros mentioned in the Iliad...
of Imbros
Imbros
Imbros or Imroz, officially referred to as Gökçeada since July 29, 1970 , is an island in the Aegean Sea and the largest island of Turkey, part of Çanakkale Province. It is located at the entrance of Saros Bay and is also the westernmost point of Turkey...
bought him and took him back to Troy. Only twelve days later, he faced Achilles in battle, during Achilles' terrible wrath after the death of Patroclus
Patroclus
In Greek mythology, as recorded in the Iliad by Homer, Patroclus, or Patroklos , was the son of Menoetius, grandson of Actor, King of Opus, and was Achilles' beloved comrade and brother-in-arms....
. 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.