Lycaon lent his cuirass to his brother Paris when he duelled against Menelaus, husband of Helen.[2] On another occasion, Apollo took the shape of Lycaon to address Aeneas.[3]
During the Trojan War, Lycaon was captured by Achilles while cutting branches in Priam's orchard. Achilles sold him as a slave to Euneus of Lemnos, but Eetion, ruler of Imbros, bought him, took him back to Troy, and restored him to his father.[4]
Only twelve days later, he faced Achilles in battle, during Achilles' terrible wrath after the death of Patroclus. Lycaon grasped Achilles' knees and begged for mercy, either in exchange for a ransom or in memory of Patroclus' gentle nature; however, neither argument swayed Achilles, who slew him without pity.[5][6]