Ilus

Ilus is the name of several mythological persons associated directly or indirectly with Troy.

Ilus (son of Dardanus)

Homer's "Iliad" mentions at several points the tomb of Ilus son of Dardanus in the middle of the Trojan plain. Later writers explain him as the son and heir of Dardanus who died childless whence his brother Erichthonius gained the kingship.

Ilus (son of Tros)

Ilus (Ilos in Greek) is in Greek mythology the founder of the city called "Ilion" (latinized as "Ilium") to which he gave his name. When the latter became the chief city of the Trojan people it was also often called "Troy", the name by which it is best known today.

Ilus was son and heir to Tros of Dardania and brother of Assaracus and Ganymede. He won the wrestling prize at games held by the King of Phrygia and received fifty youths and maidens as his reward. The king also, on the advice of an oracle, gave him a cow and asked him to found a city where it should lie down. Ilus did so.

Ilus then prayed to Zeus for a sign and at once saw the Palladium fallen from heaven and lying before his tent but was immediately blinded for the impiety of looking on the image. He regained his sight after making offerings to Athena.

Ilus preferred his new city of Ilium to Dardania and on his father's death he remained there, bestowing the rule of Dardania on his brother Assaracus instead and so the Trojans were split into two kingdoms.

Ilus was father of Laomedon who succeeded him. His wife was said to be either Eurydice (daughter of Adrastus), or Leucippe. Other children of Ilus include two daughters, Themiste (or Themis) and Telecleia, who married Capys and Cisseus, respectively.

Ilus (son of Mermerus)

Another Ilus from Greek mythology was a son of Mermerus, and grandson of Jason and Medeia. This Ilus lived at Ephyra, between Elis and Olympia. In a tale recounted in "The Odyssey", he played host to Odysseus, but when Odysseus requested from Ilus poison for his arrows, he declined, from fear of divine vengeance.

Family Tree