LYCAON, SON OF PRIAM (son of Priam and Laothoe)

Lycaon had been in Ilius for only twelve days before his fate was sealed.⁴ Previously, Achilles had captured him while he worked in his father's vineyard at night, selling wicker sides for a chariot made from wild fig-tree shoots.^5,4 The hero sent the captive by sea to the island of Lemnos, where the son of Jason purchased him as a slave.^5,4 Eetion of Imbros paid a large sum to free Lycaon and sent him to the city of Arisbe, from which he escaped to return to his father's house.⁵ He spent eleven days safely with his friends after returning from Lemnos, but his peace was short-lived.⁵

During the war, Lycaon found himself struggling to escape the river Scamander, his strength failing and sweat pouring from him as he was unarmed.⁵ When Achilles confronted him, Lycaon initially clutched his spear with one hand, refusing to let it go.⁴ Realizing the futility of resistance, he released his grip and raised his hands in surrender, running crouching up to Achilles to embrace his knees.^6,4

Lycaon begged for his life, his heart sinking within him as he heard Achilles' speech.^4,6 He had previously paid a hundred oxen for his initial ransom and later three times the original price to regain his freedom, but these debts could not save him now.⁴ Achilles thrust his spear at Lycaon but missed, then struck him in the neck with his sword.^4,6 The prince died on the ground with blood soaking the earth, fulfilling the destiny that Achilles was to send him to the house of Hades against his will.^6,5

Achilles threw Lycaon's body into the river to drift downstream, where fish were destined to eat his flesh.⁶ His mother would not place him on a funeral bier, leaving him without proper honor in death.⁶ Accounts differ regarding his final state, with some saying he may be held captive by the Achaeans while others insist he is already in the house of Hades.⁷ Lycaon was currently missing from the Trojan city, his fate sealed by the violence of the war.⁷