Corythus (son of Paris)
Son of Paris in Greek mythology
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In Greek mythology, Corythus (Ancient Greek: Κόρυθος, romanized: Kóruthos) is a minor Trojan figure who lived during the decade-spanning Trojan War. He was the son of Prince Paris of Troy by either the nymph Oenone or the Spartan queen Helen.
In the former account, Corythus was killed by his father after arriving in Troy and being spotted in Helen's bedroom. In the latter, he perished as a result of a roof collapsing on top of him.
Family
Mythology
According to most authors, Corythus was son of Oenone, Paris' previous wife before he deserted her for the love of Helen.[7] The jealous and hurt Oenone sent Corythus out with instructions to stir trouble among the Trojans, planning ill for Helen and making Paris jealous.[8][9][10][11]
He was first sent by Oenone to inform the Greeks of the prophecies required to take Troy: a member of the Aeacidae, the bones of Pelops, and Heracles' arrows.[12] Lycophron further references Corythus informing the invading army about the land, being a spy or traitor, alluding to a version in which the Greeks found Troy thanks to Corythus' information.[2][13]
Later, having reportedly grown to be even more good-looking than his father, Corythus travelled to Troy itself.[14] There, he was received warmly by Helen and even fell in love with her.[15] Seeing Corythus next to Helen in her bedroom, Paris slew him, not knowing this was his own son.[16][17] Oenone then cursed Paris to be wounded severely by the Achaeans. She intended that he would be forced to ask for her assistance and be at her need.[10] When that day came, Oenone refused to help. After Paris died, she repented and hanged herself.[13]
In his commentary to Vergil's Aeneid, Servius mentions that Corythus founded a settlement in Italy named after himself.[18]
Alternatively, according to the poet Nicander, among others, Corythus was the son of Paris and his second wife Helen.[2][15] In these versions, he is said to have died alongside his brothers after a roof in Troy collapsed upon them.[3]
