Laomedon, a king of Troy in Greek mythology, is a pivotal figure whose life intertwined with the actions of gods, heroes, and the eventual downfall of his city. His narrative reflects themes of divine interaction, betrayal, heroism, and the far-reaching consequences of broken promises.
In Greek mythology, Laomedon was a king of Troy, son of Ilus and nephew of Ganymede. Image: Heracles preparing to kill Laomedon, depicted in a fresco from Pompeii’s House of Octavius Quartio.
Parentage and Family
Laomedon’s lineage was rooted in the founding myths of Troy. He was the son of Ilus, the founder of the city of Ilion (Troy), and his mother is variably identified as Eurydice, Leucippe, or Batia. Laomedon was the grandson of Tros, for whom the Trojans were named, and the nephew of Ganymede, the divine cupbearer of the gods. His siblings are sometimes listed as Themiste, Telecleia, and Tithonus.
Laomedon’s own family was large and influential, encompassing many key figures in Trojan mythology:
- Priam, his most famous son, became the last king of Troy.
- Tithonus, often described as his eldest legitimate son, was immortalized by Eos, the dawn goddess.
- Hesione, his daughter, became a central figure in Laomedon’s conflict with Heracles.
- Other children included Lampus, Hicetaon, Clytius, Cilla, Astyoche, Proclia, Aethilla, Medesicaste, Clytodora, Bucolion (by the nymph Calybe), and possibly Thymoetes.
Laomedon’s marital connections are diverse in myth. His wives are listed as Placia, Strymo (or Rhoeo), Zeuxippe, or Leucippe. Through these unions, he fathered his many children, further entwining his family with the myths of both Troy and Greece.
The Divine Horses
Laomedon owned a prized set of horses with divine parentage, gifted by Zeus to his grandfather Tros. These horses were compensation for Zeus abducting Ganymede to serve as cupbearer for the gods. These extraordinary creatures symbolized divine favor and royal prestige. They played a central role in Laomedon’s betrayal of Heracles, leading to his ultimate downfall.
Wrath of the Gods
Laomedon’s hubris and deceit brought him into conflict with the gods. According to myth, Poseidon and Apollo, as punishment from Zeus for conspiring against him, were sent to serve Laomedon in disguise. Tasked with building Troy’s massive walls, the two gods completed their labor under the promise of a reward. However, Laomedon, embodying arrogance and dishonesty, refused to pay them.
After refusing to pay Poseidon and Apollo for building Troy’s walls, Laomedon faced divine punishment.
The enraged gods retaliated:
- Apollo sent a pestilence that devastated the city.
- Poseidon unleashed a sea monster that terrorized the Trojan plain, destroying people and crops.
To end these calamities, the oracle decreed that Laomedon must sacrifice his daughter, Hesione, to the sea monster. This act of desperation set the stage for the arrival of Heracles.
Heracles and the Betrayal
Heracles, passing through Troy after battling the Amazons, encountered Hesione tied to the rocks, awaiting sacrifice. Struck by the sight, Heracles offered to rescue her in exchange for Laomedon’s divine horses. The desperate king agreed, and Heracles, along with his companions Telamon and Oicles, confronted the sea monster.
In a climactic battle, Heracles slew the beast and saved Hesione. However, true to form, Laomedon reneged on his promise, refusing to part with the divine horses. Furious at this betrayal, Heracles vowed revenge and left Troy, but not before warning Laomedon of his eventual return.
The Fall of Laomedon
Heracles later fulfilled his vow, returning to Troy with an army. With eighteen ships and a host of volunteers, he launched an assault on the city. Laomedon prepared for the attack, leading his forces against Heracles. During the battle:
- Telamon, Heracles’ companion, was the first to breach Troy’s walls.
- Heracles and his forces overpowered Laomedon’s troops and laid siege to the city.
Heracles later besieged Troy, killing Laomedon, saving Hesione, and establishing Priam as king.
Laomedon and all his sons, except Podarces, were killed. Hesione was taken as a war prize and given to Telamon. When allowed to choose a captive to save, Hesione ransomed her brother Podarces by offering her golden veil. From that point on, Podarces was known as Priam, meaning “to buy,” and he would later become the last king of Troy.
Legacy and Significance
Laomedon’s actions had far-reaching consequences for Troy and its legacy:
- Betrayal and Divine Retribution: Laomedon’s broken promises to Poseidon, Apollo, and Heracles reflect a recurring theme in Greek mythology: hubris and its consequences. His deceit angered both gods and mortals, leading directly to Troy’s destruction during his reign.
- Precursor to the Trojan War: Heracles’ sacking of Troy and the installation of Priam as king set the stage for the Trojan War. The tension and animosity sown during Laomedon’s rule persisted into Priam’s reign, culminating in Troy’s eventual fall to the Greeks.
- Symbol of Leadership Flaws: As a ruler, Laomedon exemplified arrogance, dishonesty, and poor judgment, traits that ultimately doomed his city. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity and the dangers of provoking divine wrath.
- Mythological Interconnections: Laomedon’s narrative ties together many strands of Greek mythology, linking the Trojan royal line to figures like Heracles, Poseidon, Apollo, and Zeus. His relationships with Ganymede, Hesione, and Priam further enrich the interconnected tapestry of myth.
Laomedon in Later Myth and Culture
Laomedon’s legacy endured in ancient literature and art. His story highlights themes of divine justice, heroism, and the fragility of human power. It also serves as an essential prologue to the larger epic of the Trojan War, underscoring the interplay between mortal actions and divine will in Greek mythology.
In summary, Laomedon’s reign encapsulates the rise and fall of Troy during his time. His narrative—marked by divine punishment, heroic intervention, and ultimate defeat—offers a compelling blend of drama, morality, and mythological significance, cementing his place as a key figure in the ancient Greek mythos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laomedon was a king of Troy known for his divine interactions, heroic connections, and eventual downfall. His betrayal of gods and heroes set the stage for the Trojan War. Image: Heracles slaying Laomedon depicted on a Southern Gaul terra sigillata flask, late 1st century AD.
Who were Laomedon’s parents and siblings?
Laomedon’s mother is variously identified as Eurydice, Leucippe, or Batia. His father was Ilus, making him the grandson of Tros and nephew of Ganymede. His siblings included Themiste, Telecleia, and sometimes Tithonus.
Who were Laomedon’s children?
Laomedon’s children included Priam, Tithonus, Lampus, Hicetaon, Clytius, Hesione, Cilla, Astyoche, Proclia, Aethilla, Medesicaste, Clytodora, Bucolion (by the nymph Calybe), and possibly Thymoetes.
What were the divine horses of Laomedon, and how did he acquire them?
Laomedon’s divine horses were a gift from Zeus to his grandfather Tros as compensation for abducting Ganymede. These horses symbolized Laomedon’s royal and divine lineage.
Why did Poseidon and Apollo serve Laomedon, and what was their task?
Zeus punished Poseidon and Apollo for conspiring against him by forcing them to serve Laomedon. Disguised as men, they built Troy’s massive walls in exchange for a promised reward.
How did Laomedon anger Poseidon and Apollo?
Laomedon refused to pay the promised reward to Poseidon and Apollo after they completed Troy’s walls, enraging the gods.
What punishments did Poseidon and Apollo inflict on Troy?
Apollo sent a pestilence to Troy, while Poseidon unleashed a sea monster that ravaged the land.
What was the oracle’s solution to Troy’s calamities?
The oracle declared that Laomedon must sacrifice his daughter Hesione to the sea monster to end the pestilence and destruction.
How did Heracles become involved with Laomedon?
Heracles, passing through Troy after battling the Amazons, agreed to save Hesione from the sea monster in exchange for Laomedon’s divine horses.
How did Laomedon betray Heracles?
After Heracles killed the sea monster and saved Hesione, Laomedon refused to give him the promised divine horses.
What did Heracles do in response to Laomedon’s betrayal?
Heracles vowed revenge, later mustering an army, besieging Troy, and ultimately killing Laomedon and his sons, except Podarces.
Who breached Troy’s walls during Heracles’ attack, and what happened to Hesione?
Telamon, one of Heracles’ companions, was the first to breach Troy’s walls. Hesione was given to Telamon as a war prize.
How did Podarces become Priam?
Hesione ransomed her brother Podarces by giving her golden veil. Podarces was then renamed Priam, meaning “to buy,” and later became king of Troy.
Laomedon’s betrayal of the gods and Heracles fostered enmity, setting the stage for the Trojan War. His story highlights themes of divine retribution, heroism, and broken promises.
