Achilles is the preeminent hero of the Trojan War and the central figure of Homer’s Iliad. Known for his peerless combat skill, divine heritage, and tragic temperament, Achilles embodies the ideals and flaws of the heroic age. His wrath, grief, and ultimate fate define the emotional and thematic core of the Greek epic tradition.
Meaning and Etymology
The name “Achilles” (Greek: Ἀχιλλεύς) likely derives from achos (grief) and laos (people), suggesting “he who brings grief to the people.” This is fitting, as both his enemies and his allies suffer because of his actions and decisions.
Symbolism
Achilles represents martial excellence, youthful glory, and the human cost of pride. He is the archetypal warrior whose story explores fate, honor, emotional vulnerability, and the brief brilliance of life lived for eternal fame (kleos). His near-invincibility contrasts with his all-too-human emotions.
Powers and Traits
- Invulnerability: After being dipped in the River Styx by his mother Thetis, Achilles became invulnerable, except for his heel.
- Combat Superiority: Known as the greatest warrior of his generation, none could match him in speed, strength, or skill.
- Charisma and Leadership: Despite his youth, Achilles commanded the respect of the Myrmidons and other Greek leaders.
Family and Relations
- Parents: Peleus (mortal king of Phthia) and Thetis (sea goddess)
- Mentor: Chiron, the centaur, who trained him in hunting, healing, and war
- Companion: Patroclus, his closest friend and possible lover
- Love Interests: Briseis (concubine), Deidamia (princess of Skyros)
- Child: Neoptolemus, future warrior in the final phase of the Trojan War
Key Myths and Deeds
- Hidden on Skyros: To prevent his fated death at Troy, Thetis hid Achilles among the daughters of King Lycomedes, disguised as a girl. There, he fathered Neoptolemus with Deidamia. He was eventually discovered by Odysseus, who tricked him into revealing his identity by offering weapons among gifts.
- Training with Chiron: As a child, Achilles was educated by the wise centaur Chiron. Under his guidance, he became a master of medicine, music, and warfare.
- Embassy to Troy: Before the war began, Achilles joined a diplomatic mission to Troy, hoping to resolve the conflict peacefully. His presence foreshadowed the magnitude of war should diplomacy fail.
- Slaying of Tenes: On the way to Troy, Achilles killed Tenes, a son of Apollo. This act angered the god and planted the seeds of divine vengeance that would later lead to Achilles’s downfall.
- Sacking of Mysia: During a mistaken early campaign, Achilles fought Telephus, king of Mysia. Though wounded, Telephus was later healed by Achilles. This demonstrates he was both a destroyer and a healer.
- Wrath in the Iliad: After a quarrel with Agamemnon over Briseis, Achilles withdrew from battle, leading to Greek losses. Only after Patroclus’s death did he return, driven by grief and vengeance.
- Death of Hector: In a duel of epic proportions, Achilles killed Hector, prince of Troy, and desecrated his body by dragging it behind his chariot.
- Reconciliation and Honor: Achilles eventually returned Hector’s body to Priam, king of Troy, in a moment of grace and shared mourning, illustrating his complex emotional depth.
- Death and Legacy: Achilles was killed when Paris, aided by Apollo, shot an arrow into his only vulnerable spot—his heel. His funeral was grand, and his son Neoptolemus continued the war effort. Achilles’s name lived on as the ultimate warrior whose fate was both tragic and glorious.
Worship and Hero Cults
Achilles was honored across Greece and especially revered in Thessaly and on the island of Leuke in the Black Sea. Hero shrines were erected in his memory, and athletic games were held in his honor. He was considered a model of heroism and was sometimes invoked in oaths or rituals related to warfare.
Representation in Art
Achilles is frequently shown in classical art as a youthful warrior in armor. Scenes from his duel with Hector, the mourning of Patroclus, and his death are common on Greek pottery and Roman mosaics. In modern art, he appears as a tragic and heroic figure, often caught between fury and sorrow.
Modern Appearances
Books and Literature
- The Iliad by Homer – Central epic featuring Achilles’s rage and its consequences.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – A romantic retelling focusing on his relationship with Patroclus.
- The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker – Offers Briseis’s perspective, portraying Achilles in a more human and morally ambiguous light.
TV and Streaming
- Troy (2004) – Brad Pitt portrays Achilles as a brooding, glory-seeking warrior.
- Troy: Fall of a City (Netflix) – Explores Achilles’s bond with Patroclus and his moral struggle in war.
Video Games
- Hades (Supergiant Games) – Portrayed as a wise, noble ghost and trainer to the player; his past with Patroclus is tenderly explored.
- Total War Saga: Troy – A playable hero with unique abilities emphasizing rage and swift combat.
- Age of Mythology – Featured as a myth unit representing elite melee strength.