Asius (mythology)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Asius refers to two people during the Trojan War:
- Asius (Asios) son of Hyrtacus was the leader of the Trojan allies that hailed from, on, or near the Hellespont (Iliad, 2.835-840). He was a son of Hyrtacus and Arisbe, the first wife of King Priam and daughter of Merops. Asius led the contingent from a cluster of towns on both sides of the Hellespont, including Arisbe, Percote, Abydus and Sestus. This last town was the only one to lie on the European (northern) side of the Hellespont; the rest were situated on the Asian (southern) side. Asius himself resided in the town of Arisbe, by the river Selleis. Asius had a brother named Nisus, and two sons named Adamas and Phaenops. All four men (Asius, Nisus, Adamas, Phaenops) fought at Troy as allies of King Priam. During the assault on the Achaean wall, Asius was the only soldier to not listen to Hector and Polydamas, and did not dismount his chariot. Asius was killed by the Cretan king Idomeneus during the assault.
- Asius was a Phrygian leader and son of King Dymas, and brother of Queen Hecuba of Troy. Asius, son of Dymas, belonged to a tribe of Phrygians who resided by the River Sangarius. In the Iliad, Apollo is said to have taken Asius's shape to encourage Hector to fight Patroclus. This Asius does not die in the narrative of the Iliad, but Dictys Cretensis says he was slain by Ajax.
