#helenus

Priam born with a different name!

Priam's original name was Podarces (Ποδάρκης), the youngest son of king Laomedon of Troy. His name being Greek in this and meaning literally "swift-footed"

(Goddamn the FORESHADOWING! Like his doom to his family comes from a man that was known with the epithet "fast in feet!)

Priam being sold as a slave to his own sister for a veil and earning his name

Hesione being rescued initially by Heracles from the sea monster she was offered to but when her father refused to pay the price he promised to Heracles, Heracles took the city, taking Hesione as a captive but he offers her to Telamon as a war prize instead of keeping her himself. He told Hesione to pick anything she wanted to have with her. Hesione picked her brother Podarces. Heracles however pointed out that he should first be a slave to be taken by her. Hesione agreed and she offered Heracles her golden veil to buy her brother as ransom. Ever since Podarces got his name "Priam" by the Greek verb "πρίαμαι" which means "to buy"

(Like guys do you understand?! The KING of Troy has a name belonging to a SLAVE!)

Uncle to Teucer

Hesione as a war prize to Telamon becomes either his second wife or his concubine, depending on the source. She gave birth to her son Teucer with Telamon. This made Priam the uncle of Teucer. Teucer or "Teukros" comes from different origins but one more that seems to be spoken by some later sources is an alternative name for the Trojans "Teucroi" from one of their leaders by the name Teukros -like poor baby was probably literally called "the Trojan" all his life!-

(DUDE! THE DYNAMICS AND THE DRAMA! Teucer was fighting a fight against a family he didn't know that came from an affair or a marriage between a king and a war-prize that was also an ex-princess and Priam was watching the child of his beloved sister that saved his life fighting against him!)

Becoming king of Troy

Priam, previous Podarces, was left to his homeland by his sister Hesione, because she hoped that he would restore it in the future and so it happened. Priam became the king of Troy after the sacking by Heracles already marrying to secure the throne and produce heirs

(Priam rising from a captive and a slave to a king pretty fast huh?)

He abandoned his newly born son to save his country

Priam heard that the child born (later known as Paris) would be the destruction of the city. Knowing that he takes the decision to give the child away to his servant Agelaus who let the baby suckle milk from a bear for five days. When the baby was safe to travel he took it away.

(Again FORESHADOWING MY BELOVED! Priam let go of his son because he chose his country and its safety over him. His city was then to be taken by a man who chose his son's life over the danger of war)

Tried to take his sister back

Priam waited enough for his city to be secured and for some time to pass till he thought it was about time to right the wrong of his father not to keep the promise to Heracles, in order to get his sister Hesione back so that she would be a servant or a concubine no more. He sent Antenor to Peleus first and when Antenor repeated the requests of Priam, Peleus was upset and sent him away. Antenor didn't give up and went directly to Telamon to ask for Hesione. Telamon refused saying that he committed nothing wrong against Priam and refused to give no old Hesione back and sent Antenor away. Antenor then jumped to the next king. This time Castor and Pollux took him in. Antenor tried again but the two brothers refused to help him take her back by force saying that no injury was caused to Priam or anything else to justify such a conflict. Last Antenor went to Nestor himself who not only refused but also scolded him by daring to make such a proposal due to many factors. Antenor was forced to return

(I mean one needs to give kudos to Antenor for being freaking persistent now right?)

Tried to start a war against the Greeks

Priam was furious and thought that Greeks thought of them as source of scorn and so he spoke to his sons especially those he had fathered by concubines to show them his fury and of course his eldest, Hector, to begin an expeditions against the Greeks and make them pay for their crimes. Hector said he would definitely do that especially to avenge his grandfather's death by the hands of Heracles but he also mentioned they would lose not only because the Greeks in their own grounds would have allies but also because they had built no ships and they would have a disadvantage. Paris now actually insisted that they should build a fleet and take them down and that he too would lead the expedition if he had to

(Dude but THE FORESHADOWING AGAIN!!!!! Priam was willing to start a full war against all Greeks for the sake of his sister! Menelaus started a war against all Trojans for the sake of his wife! Man! Talk about two men take things personally!)

Thought of options and building of fleet

Even if he considered other options and heard the warning of his son Helenus that if Paris brought a wife from Troy, everything would be over. Even Cassandra warned him that if he tried to attack the Greeks then Troy would suffer. Priam thought that a dream he had would mean that Aphrodite would be by the side of Paris and therefore the odds would be to his favor. Troilus even spoke up and basically told them not to listen to Helenus and the fleet began to be built

(Tsk tsk tsk... Priam my man you have sons that warn you...one of them being a freaking prophet or at least augur that is not cursed by Apollo not being believed! Perhaps you should have listened shouldn't ya? But then again fate again!)

The march of the fleet

After the fleet was built eventually it was ordered to head for the Greeks with Paris leading one portion of it. He crossed paths with Menelaus who was on his way to Pylos to visit Nestor. Menelaus was surprised at the magnificence of the fleet he saw obviously being a royal one and vice versa, given that both adversaries wondered where the other was heading. According to Dares the Phrygian always, Paris went to Cythera to offer sacrifices to Aphrodite and for some reason Helen also went there, where the affair begins. Although I personally go with the hospitality at Menelaus's arrangement still!)

(Dude all this DELICIOUS DOMINO EFFECT! LIKE COME ON! Also typical Paris! He marches with a fleet to war and he returns with a married woman as loot! Come on dude! That's not how wars are done! And imagine Priam later seeing the march of the Greek fleet after HE had sent a fleet against THEM first! This time a grand fleet that was coming to get HIM! Gosh!)

Delighted to see Helen

Unlike what you would believe, he seems initially delighted to see Helen because he believes he can strike a bargain to get Hesione back by also returning Helen. He even noticed that Helen already had regrets so he consoles her and he even gives her as a wife to Paris (or I would expect that he approved their bond if one takes the sources that Paris consummated his marriage earlier)

(My dude Priam...come on! You thought you could slip away from the war YOU wanted to start already? Tsk tsk tsk...my poor delusional old boy!)

Locking Cassandra away

Cassandra kept on and on with her prophecy that the union would bring destruction to Troy. Priam eventually ordered for Cassandra to be removed from the room and locked away!

(Like...the classic "go to your room without supper" I hope? Somehow not convinced like...yeah Priam that was extreme! I know she is not believed but damn! And I gotta give it to Cassandra she KEEPS TRYING!)

Calling back the fleet

When Priam finds out the Greeks prepare a war for Helen he immediately calls his fleet back to regroup and prepare themselves for the worst

(A bit too late dude...and how tragic irony again how he planned war first but now he sees a counter measure for a similar reason and man what a counter-attack even if subconsciously that was! He had 1000 ships at his doors and 10.000 men like there on the spot!)

Sending away Odysseus and Menelaus

When the demands were made Odysseus and Menelaus were reminded by Priam the actions of the Argonauts to take Troy, kill the king and take Hesione. Even brought the subject of the treatment of Antenor up to be refused the return of Hesione. He ordered for the two to be removed from the premises. I expect things would get rough if we take into account Homer and Paris's bribe to make sure Menelaus and Odysseus wouldn't come out of there alive!

Honestly the dude manifested everything there! That was the last moment he had to negotiate but he chose not to! Like Priam! What happened to your other plan to exchange women Priam? Off the window?