(Redirected from Asios Hyrtakides)In
Greek mythology, Asius refers to two people who fought during the
Trojan War:
★ 'Asius' (''Asios'') son of
Hyrtacus was the leader of the
Trojan allies that hailed from, on, or near the
Dardanelles (
Iliad, 2.835-840). He was a son of
Hyrtacus and
Arisbe, the latter being 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,
Abydos and
Sestus. This last town was the only one to lie on the European (northern) side of the Dardanelles; the rest were situated on the Asian (southern) side. Asius himself resided in the town of Arisbe, by the river
Selleis. Asius had two sons named
Adamas and
Phaenops, according to
Homer, and a half-brother named
Nisus, according to
Virgil. 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.