Erichthonius (son of Dardanus)

Erichthonius, in Greek mythology, was a king of Dardania, the son of Dardanus and Bateia, and father of Tros. He was considered a wealthy king, famed for his numerous flocks and herds. He was also described as the wealthiest of mortal men.

His story is relatively simple but significant in the context of Trojan lineage. According to Homer, Erichthonius was beloved by the gods and was known for his many horses. These horses were bred from those of Boreas, the north wind. The offspring were said to be incredibly swift, able to run over fields of grain without bending the stalks.

Erichthonius married Astyoche, the daughter of Simoeis, and their son was Tros, who gave his name to Troy and the Trojans. He is therefore a key figure in the ancestry of the Trojan royal house, an ancestor of figures like Priam and Hector.