<< prev in category - next in category >>

Pyrrhus received his name from the yellow color of his hair. Also known as Neoptolemus {see planet  (2260)}, he was the king of Epirus and a son of Achilles {see planet  (588)}. After Achilles was killed, a Greek delegation led by Odysseus {see planet  (1143)} went to Epirus and brought Pyrrhus to the Trojan War. Enraged at the death of his father, he became the most ruthless of all the Greeks. Using a battle-axe, he broke the doors leading into King Priam’s {see planet  (884)} house, which he sacked and burned, showing no mercy to women and children. After killing Priam’s son Polites {see planet  (4867)}, he also slew Priam on an altar - a sacrilege. He took away Hector’s {see planet  (624)} wife, Andromache {see planet  (175)} as his prize. (M 22250)

Name and citation provided by Richard Preston at the request of the discoverers.