Greek Myths XS: The Decimation of the Trojan royal Family

The household of king Priamos and queen Hekabe of Troy was quite a blended family. As Priamos had lots of wives and concubines, he produced a record number of fifty-four princes and princesses. They all got along well, with Hector as the eldest and undisputed crown prince, and his son, cute baby Astyanax as the future heir for the throne. Sadly, the idyll came to an abrupt end with the Trojan war and the decimation of the royal family. Most of the princes were unalived, and even little Astyanax wasn’t spared. Neither was the youngest of Hekabe’s children, who had been sent away in a fruitless effort to keep him safe. Only Helenos made it alive, as the Greeks wanted to make use of his talent for prophecy. Most princesses were sold into slavery, but not sweet Polyxena. The Greeks picked her as a sacrifice, to ensure a favourable wind. Just for one Trojan prince, Aisakos, the gods stepped in, for whatever reason. He threw himself into the ocean and as a sea-diving cormorant, he’s still doing that today.

Polyxena goes willingly to be sacrificed, Charles Le Brun,

The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York, USA

Priam driving forth, Hydria, Harvard Art Museum, Cambridge, USA

Did you know...

• Hyginus gives us the names of all fifty-four children – but lists 55! Their names (latin versions): Hector, Deiphobus, Cebriones, Polydorus, Helenus, Alexander, Hipposidus, Antinous, Agathon, Dius, Mestor, Lyside, Polyxena, Ascanius, Chirodamas, Evagoras, Dryops, Astynomus, Polymetus, Laodice, Ethionome, Phegea, Henicea, Demnosia, Cassandra, Philomela, Polites, Troilus, Palaemon, Brissonius, Gorgythion, Protodamas, Aretus, Dolon, Chromius, Eresus, Chrysolaus, Demosthea, Doryclus, Hippasus, Hypirochus, Lysianasssa, Iliona, Nereis, Evander, Proneus, Archemachus, Hilagus, Axion, Biantes, Hippotrochus, Deiopites, Medusa, Hera, Creusa.

• Hekabe’s latin name is Hecuba (cfr. “Widows of War” by Missesmyths)

• Queen Hekabe sent Polydoros to king Polymestor in Thracia, but on demand of the Greeks, the king betrayed her trust and pushed her son out of a tower window. (cfr. "Widows of War" by Missesmyths).