Ilus

Ilus was a member of the royal lineage of Troy, the son of Tros (after whom Troy was named) and Callirrhoe, the daughter of the river god Scamander. This lineage places Ilus among the descendants of Dardanus and thus part of a line blessed by the gods, specifically Zeus. According to myth, Ilus participated in games organized by the king of Phrygia and won. His prize was a number of valuable items, including a cow, which he was to follow. Where the cow laid down, he was to found a city. The cow stopped on the hill of the Phrygian plain, and there Ilus founded the city he initially named Ilium, later known as Troy.

An integral part of Ilus' story involves a divine sign confirming the favor of the gods for his undertaking. After praying to Zeus for a sign, Ilus received a statue of Pallas (also known as the Palladium), which fell from heaven. This sacred object was said to guarantee the safety and security of the city as long as it remained within Troy's walls. The Palladium's importance persisted throughout the Trojan narratives, symbolizing divine protection and the city's fate.

Ilus married Eurydice and fathered several children, including Laomedon, who succeeded him as king of Troy. Laomedon's own son, Priam, would be the king during the fabled Trojan War. Through his descendants, Ilus is connected to many key figures of the Trojan saga, including Hector, Paris, and Cassandra, all of whom played pivotal roles in the war's mythology. As the founder of Ilium, his contributions to its establishment and the divine favor he secured through the Palladium set the stage for the city's prominence in Greek mythology. His lineage ensures his continued relevance in the narratives surrounding the Trojan War, serving as a reminder of the city's glorious origins and the tragic fate that awaited it.

Through Ilus, the myths explore themes of divine favor, the significance of omens, and the foundational stories of one of the most important cities in ancient Greek lore. His story is a cornerstone of the Trojan mythic tradition, connecting the city's mythical past with its legendary future.