Achilles

Statue of Achilles. Handmade of alabaster,and painted in museum coloured patina.

Achilles was the famous hero of Thessaly but also whole of Greece. He combined beauty, strength and courage. When the hero grew up, he took part in the Trojan war campaign leader of his Myrmidons. In Greek mythology, he is son of Peleus and grandson of Aeacus, was the greatest and central ,but also the bravest hero of Homer’s Iliad.

The anger / “minis” of Achilles

After the attack and the destruction caused by Achilles, in the place of Vrisiida, as well as the death of her husband, to be comforted by Patroclus, he promised to marry her to her abductor, whom she became the favored and beloved slave. Later, Agamemnon demanded Vrisiida in return. After that, the hero became angry and refused to fight. This anger (“minis”) of Achilles is the subject of Homer’s epic Iliad. As the first two verses of this famous work write.

THE BATTLE WITH HECTOR.

As the tide of war turns against the Achaeans, Patroclus persuades him to  lead the Myrmidon army into battle wearing Achilles’ armor, so that the Trojans think he is Achilles himself. Patroclus manages to repel the Trojan forces, but is killed in battle by Hector. The news of Patroclus‘ death reaches Achilles through Antilochus, and throws him into deep sorrow. The former invulnerable and unbreakable Achilles bends in mourning. He anoints his face with ashes and imposes fasting on his body. The rage that follows Patroclus’ death becomes the main motivation for him to return to the battlefield. He returns to battle with the sole purpose of avenging the death of his dear friend by killing Hector, despite the warning of Thetis’ mother that this would cost him his life. After his triumphant victory over Hector, Achilles drags the dead body around the walls of Troy tied behind his chariot, abusively celebrating his victory.

DEATH OF ACHILLEUS

The gods, seeing that HE had killed so many, determined that it was time for him to die. Thus a poisonous arrow of Paris directed by the god Apollo hit him in the heel, his only vulnerability, and killed him. Paris was cowardly and unworthy of his brother, Hector. Thus, they do not give him honors and it is considered that Achilles remained undefeated on the battlefield.