In mythology son of Eos and a prominent warrior at Troy on the side of the Trojans. He confronts Achilles. A weighing of souls (psychostasia) is conducted by Zeus to determine who will survive; this is shown in art, as is the duel with Achilles in which he is killed. His body is removed from the battlefield by his mother. He was deemed handsome and a black, and may be attended by blacks at Troy. His name attaches to various other mythical figures of Egypt and Persia.
Above left: 'Psychostasia'. Detail from Athenian black-figure white-ground clay vase. London. British Museum B 639. Photo. Mus. XXXV B32. © British Museum
Above right: Eos carries Memnon. Detail from Athenian black-figure clay vase, about 525-475 BC. New York, Metropolitan Museum 1956.171.25. Fletcher Fund. Photo. Mus. 162057 B. © New York, Metropolitan Museum