PRIAM, PRIAMUS. Priam, son of Laomedon, was king of Troy, husband of Hecuba, and father of Hector, Troilus, Paris, Deiphebus, Cassandra, and Polyxena. When the Greeks took Troy, Neoptolemeus (Pyrrhus) killed Priam as he clung to the altar of Jupiter in his own palace (Aeneid II.506-538).

The Nun's Priest says that the ladies of Ilion did not make a greater lamentation when Pyrrhus caught Priam by the beard and slew him than the hens make when the fox grabs Chauntecleer, NPT 3355-3361. The story of Ector and King Priam is painted on the glass windows of the Dreamer's room, BD 328. The story of how Pirrus slew Priam is painted on the brass tablet, HF I.159-161. Troilus is King Priam's son, Tr I.2. Priam sends a safe-conduct to bring the Greek ambassadors to Troy, Tr IV.139-140. Priam holds a parliament to hear the ambassadors, Tr IV.142, and is persuaded to exchange Criseyde for Antenor, Tr IV.194-195. Pandarus tells Criseyde that although Priam may have good intentions toward Troilus, Troilus should not test them by visiting Criseyde, Tr IV.918-921. Troilus, in a soliloquy, bids his father Priam farewell, Tr IV.1205-1211. Pandarus neglects to visit Troilus because he spends the whole day with King Priam, Tr V.281-284. Priam tries to comfort his son Troilus after Criseyde's departure, Tr V.1226-1232. When Ilion fell, King Priam was destroyed, LGW 936-939. [Ector: Ecuba: Paris: Pirrus: Polite]

Priam, the English contraction, occurs twice initially, Tr IV.142; Tr V.1226; nine times in medial positions, NPT 3358; Tr III.791; Tr IV.57, 139, 194, 921, 1206; Tr V.284; HF I.159; Priamus, the Latin form, occurs twice in medial positions, Tr IV.1393; LGW 939; and once in final rhyming position, BD 28.