Achilles was a timeless figure in Greek mythology who represented the essence of humanity despite his greatness. The ancient Greeks regarded him as an archetypal hero, revered yet destined to face mortality. Heroic cults dedicated to Achilles emerged in various Greek regions, where he was worshipped akin to a god. For the Romans, Achilles represented both military excellence and, in the eyes of poets like Horace and Catullus, a symbol of ferocity.
In medieval times, the narrative surrounding Achilles shifted, portraying him as a cautionary example of improper behavior. Pro-Trojan versions of the myth painted him as a self-destructive rogue consumed by impulsive desires. Achilles also appears in the second circle of hell in Dante’s Inferno.
The Renaissance, marked by a revival of classical influences, revitalized Achilles as a multifaceted character. During the Romantic era of the early 19th century, he evolved into the quintessential hero—a being driven by intense emotions and tragic beauty destined for eventual downfall. But the question remains. Was Achilles a real person or a myth?
The Birth of Achilles
The Birth of Achilles is an intriguing tale in Greek mythology, marked by the interplay of divine interference and human destiny. Thetis, a sea nymph known for her beauty and grace, became a pivotal figure in this story. Both Zeus and Poseidon, powerful gods of Mount Olympus, were smitten by Thetis and sought her hand in marriage. However, a prophecy foretold that any son born to Thetis would surpass his father in greatness.
Fearing the consequences of this prophecy, Zeus devised a plan to ensure that Thetis would marry a mortal man rather than a god. In some versions, Thetis resisted Zeus’s advances, and as punishment, he decreed that she could only marry a mortal. In any case, Thetis eventually married Peleus, a mortal hero and the son of Aeacus.
The union of Thetis and Peleus gave birth to Achilles, a child of great potential. Thetis, wanting to protect her son from mortality, attempted to make him invulnerable by dipping him in the River Styx, a boundary between the mortal world and the underworld. However, as she held Achilles by the heel while immersing him, that part remained dry and untouched by the river’s mystical waters.
This small, vulnerable spot on his heel, later known as the “Achilles heel,” became Achilles’ only weakness. It would play a pivotal role in his tragic destiny, as he would meet his end when Paris, during the Trojan War, shot him in the heel with an arrow, exploiting this single point of vulnerability.
Raised by a Centaur
Achilles’ upbringing under the guidance of Zeus’s brother Chiron, the wise Centaur, is a fascinating aspect of his early life. After his mother Thetis returned to her sea nymph kin and his father Peleus went off to battle the Teleboans, young Achilles was entrusted to the care of Chiron, a renowned centaur who dwelled on the slopes of Mount Pelion.
Chiron, unlike many of his centaur brethren who were often depicted as wild and unruly, was celebrated for his wisdom, knowledge, and nurturing qualities. He had previously educated several Greek heroes, including Heracles and Jason.
Under Chiron’s tutelage, Achilles received a multifaceted education. He learned the arts of hunting, riding, and the melodies of music. Chiron also imparted intellectual pursuits and martial skills, grooming Achilles to become a well-rounded and formidable individual.
A significant aspect of Achilles’ upbringing was his unique diet, carefully curated by Chiron to foster his strength and resilience. This diet included the consumption of lion and wild pig innards, as well as the marrow of she-wolves, all of which were believed to impart their innate qualities to the young hero.
The Trojan War
Achilles played a crucial role in the decade-long Trojan War, which ignited when Paris of Troy abducted Helen, the queen of Sparta. This act of love and vengeance spurred the Greeks to wage war against the Trojans. Achilles, renowned as one of the greatest Greek heroes, was a central figure in this epic conflict.
However, prophecies concerning Achilles’ destiny both urged his participation and attempted to prevent it. At first, his parents concealed him on the island of Skyros, disguised as a girl within the court of King Lycomedes. Yet, recognizing that the Greeks could only achieve victory with Achilles’ involvement, cunning leaders Odysseus and Diomedes unmasked him.
Disguised as peddlers, they presented jewels and women’s attire at the court, subtly concealing weapons within their offerings. Achilles’ instinctive reach for the weapons revealed his true identity, and he was enlisted to join the Greek expedition to Troy.
Achilles Refuses to Fight
Achilles’ anger is initially provoked by a conflict with King Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces. Agamemnon’s confiscation of Achilles’ war prize, the captive woman Briseis, is the catalyst for this anger. In ancient Greek society, honor and prestige were of paramount importance, and the removal of this symbol of honor deeply wounds Achilles’ pride.
In response to this perceived dishonor, Achilles withdraws from the battlefield, refusing to participate in the ongoing Trojan War. He retreated to his tent, taking all his possessions with him, and staunchly refused to rejoin the fray. This decision has significant consequences, as the Greeks begin to suffer losses without their greatest warrior.
Achilles’ closest friend, Patroclus goes into Achilles’ tent to plead with him. Patroclus emphasizes that the Greeks are in desperate need of Achilles’ prowess to turn the tide of the war. Although Achilles remains steadfast in his refusal to return to battle personally, he offers Patroclus the use of his armor, hoping that it would not just safeguard Patroclus but also deceive the Trojans into believing that Achilles has resumed fighting.
The Rage of Achilles
The theme of Achilles’ rage, or “menis” in Greek, is a central and defining element of Homer’s epic, the Iliad. At the very beginning of the poem, the word “menis” is used, signifying anger, wrath, or rage, and it sets the tone for Achilles’ character and the narrative that follows.
The tragic turning point in Achilles’ rage occurs with the death of his dear friend Patroclus, who, wearing Achilles’ armor, is slain by the Trojan prince Hector. Achilles is overwhelmed by grief and guilt for allowing Patroclus to go into battle in his place. This emotional turmoil intensifies his determination to avenge Patroclus and, ultimately, to confront Hector.
The Return to Battle
After learning of his dearest friend’s demise at the hands of Hector, Achilles resolutely resolved to rejoin the Trojan War with the sole purpose of hunting down and exacting vengeance upon Hector. Tracking down Hector, Achilles pursued him along the city’s walls before engaging in a fierce duel. The confrontation ended with Achilles thrusting his spear into Hector’s neck. In his dying moments, Hector implored Achilles to honorably return his body to Troy for a proper cremation, but Achilles declined.
Consumed by grief following Patroclus’s funeral, Achilles found no peace. In his relentless pursuit of retribution, he fastened Hector’s lifeless body to his chariot and mercilessly dragged it around the tomb of Patroclus. Ultimately, in response to the heartfelt plea of Hector’s father, Priam, Achilles decided to allow Hector’s remains to be returned to Troy.
How Did Achilles Die?
After the death of Hector, Achilles continued to be a formidable warrior in the Trojan War. He clashed with the Ethiopian King Memnon, who had come to aid the Trojans, and ultimately vanquished him in battle. In another notable encounter, Achilles faced the Amazons, a tribe of fierce female warriors, and engaged in combat with their queen, Penthesilea.
Achilles’ was killed through a combination of divine intervention and an act of treachery. Apollo, still harboring resentment over Agamemnon’s enslavement of Chryseis, warned Paris, of Achilles’ approach.
Fearing the impending confrontation, Paris, known for his skill with a bow, took a shot at Achilles. Guided by Apollo, Paris’s arrow found its mark in Achilles’ only vulnerable spot – his heel. The arrow pierced his heel, causing Achilles to meet an immediate and untimely death, a circumstance that popularized the term “Achilles Heel” to describe a person’s vulnerable point or weakness.
Was Achilles a Real Person or Just a Myth?
The question, Was Achilles a real person or just a myth remains a subject of debate among scholars. While there is no definitive evidence to either prove or disprove his existence, Achilles is widely considered a legendary figure in ancient Greek mythology by historians and scholars. He is one of the primary characters in Homer’s epic poems, the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey.”
The myths and legends of ancient Greece often blended elements of history, heroism, and divine intervention. Achilles is depicted as a demigod, the son of the mortal Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis. His legendary feats in battle, such as his role in the Trojan War, have made him a symbol of heroism and valor.
Ancient historian Herodotus did mention Achilles in his writings, but he did so within the context of myth and legend. The character of Achilles embodies both the idealized hero and the complex human aspects of ancient Greek storytelling.
Whether Achilles was a real historical figure or a purely mythical creation, his enduring legacy in literature and culture continues to captivate and inspire people today.