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

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 King Tros of Dardania. He won the wrestling prize at games held by the King of Phrygia and received fifty youths and maidens as an his award. 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 with Eurydice the father of Laomedon who succeeded him.

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 Daradnus who died childless whence Erichthonius gained the kingship.

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, and played host to Odysseus. But when Odysseus requested from Ilus poison for his arrows, he declined, from fear of divine vengeance.

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings