ASIUS (Trojan prince and charioteer)

He was a brave commander who led troops from several coastal towns.⁷ He fought alongside Helenus and Deiphobus in the third Trojan company.³ He led Trojans including Iamenus and Orestes in an attack on the wall, holding his shield above his head during the assault.²

He drove his chariot toward the left wing of the ships, leading his forces toward the Greek ships.² He found the gates to the ships left open by the defenders and directed his horses and men toward them with a loud cry.² When the defenders held the gates, he struck his thighs in dismay and cried out to Zeus.² He accused Zeus of lying about the Argives' inability to withstand the Trojans.² He refused to abandon his horses and esquire while following Polydamas's counsel, with his esquire driving his horses close behind him during the fight.^8,2

Asius was killed by the Argives during the battle, dying by the spear of Idomeneus.^9,2 Idomeneus struck him with a spear thrust to the throat.⁸ He died lying in front of his chariot while clutching the dust, and his body lay near the sterns of the Achaean ships.^9,8 Asius entered the house of Hades, and he never returned to Ilius in triumph after this battle.^10,2 Deiphobus sought to avenge Asius by attacking Idomeneus with a spear, claiming Asius would be glad in the underworld that he was avenged.¹⁰

A temple dedicated to him and Caÿstrius stands near the Caÿster river, where he is honored as one of two heroes in a local temple.¹¹ Asius wrote a poem that described the genealogy of Thestius, stating he was the son of Agenor, and he confirmed the claim that Sicyon was the son of Metion.^12,13 His son fought alongside Memnon's forces, described as having a furious soul during the battle.¹⁴