In Greek mythology, Phorcys (/ˈfɔːrsɪs/; Ancient Greek: Φόρκυς, Phorkus) was a Phrygian ally of King Priam in the Trojan War. Phorcys appears in The Iliad as the leader of the Phrygians, a son of Phaenops.^[1] The Bibliotheca, however, refers to him as a son of Aretaon and brother of Ascanius, another Phrygian leader.^[2] Phorcys is mentioned among the Trojan allies whom Hector addresses with a speech in Book 17 of the Iliad.^[3] He was killed in battle by the Greek hero Ajax.^[4]

Phorcys is referenced in Pausanias' Description of Greece: the author explains that Phorcys was referred to as "shieldless" in the Iliad because he was wearing a two-piece corselet, which was thought to provide enough protection in the battle.^[5]

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References[edit]

• Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
• Homer, The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. ISBN 978-0674995796. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Homer, Homeri Opera in five volumes. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1920. ISBN 978-0198145318. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
• Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. ISBN 0-674-99328-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library
• Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.