Achilles | Myth, Meaning, Facts & Trojan War

Why is Achilles famous?

One of the greatest warriors and heroes in Greek mythology was Achilles. He played a significant role in Homer’s Iliad, when he participated in the Trojan War against the city of Troy.

Birth of Achilles

Thetis, a sea nymph, was Achilles’ mother, and his father was Peleus, king of the Myrmidons. Achilles’ mother sought to shield him from harm after he was born. She dipped him into the River Styx while holding him by the heel. The river Styx possessed extraordinary powers and was said to flow through the Underworld in Greek mythology. The only place Achilles was susceptible was his heel, where his mother was holding him.

Achilles was extraordinarily strong and quickly rose to the rank of a renowned warrior since he was a half-god. But unlike his mother, who was immortal, he was also part human. He might be slain, but he would eventually get old and pass away.

Start of the Trojan War

The Greeks went to war to reclaim Helen when the Trojan Prince Paris kidnapped the Greek King Menelaus’ wife. Achilles joined the conflict and brought with him the Myrmidons, an army of formidable warriors.

Achilles Fights Troy

Achilles dominated the Trojan War and was unbeatable. Many of Troy’s greatest warriors were murdered by him. But the conflict continued for years. Numerous Greek deities were involved, some of whom supported the Greeks while others supported the Trojans.

Achilles Refuses to Fight

During the conflict, Achilles once caught Briseis, a stunning princess, and developed feelings for her. Agamemnon, the commander of the Greek army, was furious with Achilles and took Briseis away from him. Achilles fell into depression and abandoned the battle.

Patroclus Dies

The Greeks started to lose the war because Achilles was not participating. Hector, the greatest warrior of Troy, was unstoppable. Patroclus, a soldier, was Achilles’ closest friend. Achilles lent his armor to Patroclus after being persuaded by him. Patroclus appeared in the conflict as Achilles. The Greek army was inspired and started to battle harder when they believed Achilles had returned.

Patroclus and Hector met together just as things for the Greeks were beginning to turn around. The two warriors got into a fight. Hector defeated Patroclus with the aid of the god Apollo and took Achilles’ armor. Then, Achilles returned to the conflict to get revenge for his friend’s demise. He encountered Hector on the battlefield, and after a protracted struggle, he prevailed.

Death

Achilles persisted in fighting the Trojans, seemingly defying death. The Greek god Apollo was aware of his frailty, nevertheless. Apollo directed Paris of Troy’s arrow so that it struck Achilles in the heel when it was fired at him. The wound finally caused Achilles’ death.

The Achilles’ Heel

The phrase “Achilles’ heel” is now used to refer to a vulnerability that could ultimately lead to one’s demise.

Facts Worth Knowing About Achilles

One legend claims that Thetis tricked Achilles into thinking he was a girl in the king of Skyros’ court in order to prevent him from going to war. Odysseus, a different Greek hero, went to Skyros and conned Achilles into confessing his identity.

Achilles is the name of the hero whose tendon connects the heel to the calf.

Achilles killed the son of the Greek god Apollo, which infuriated Apollo.

The Amazon Queen Penthesilea was fought and killed by him.

The heroes Odysseus and Ajax battled over Achilles’ armor after his death. After triumphing, Odysseus presented the armor to Achilles’ son.