Achilles is one of the most iconic figures in Greek mythology, immortalized by Homer in his epic poem The Iliad, which recounts his role in the Trojan War. Achilles is often portrayed as the epitome of a Greek hero, embodying strength, bravery, and an indomitable warrior spirit, yet his character is marked by deep human flaws, particularly pride and wrath. As the central hero of The Iliad, his actions and emotions drive much of the narrative, and his legend has left a lasting imprint on Western literature and culture. His story is a blend of historical myth and divine intervention, elevating him to a near-mythical status that has fascinated people for centuries.
Achilles was the son of Peleus, the king of the Myrmidons, and Thetis, a sea nymph or goddess. His birth was steeped in mythological significance, as it was foretold that Thetis would bear a son greater than his father. Because of this prophecy, the gods sought to avoid conflict, leading to Thetis marrying the mortal Peleus, despite being desired by many Olympians. Achilles’ early life is marked by his mother’s attempt to make him immortal. In one version of the myth, Thetis dipped Achilles into the River Styx, which granted him invulnerability except for the heel by which she held him, thus leading to the famous phrase “Achilles’ heel,” signifying a singular vulnerability amid great strength. In other versions, Thetis burned away his mortality in a fire, with Peleus interrupting the process before it was completed.
As a young man, Achilles was trained by the centaur Chiron, who was known for his wisdom and knowledge of medicine, warfare, and other arts. Under Chiron’s tutelage, Achilles became an unparalleled warrior, excelling in the use of weapons and strategy. His skills made him the leader of the Myrmidons, a fierce group of warriors from Thessaly who followed him into battle during the Trojan War. Achilles’ prowess on the battlefield earned him a fearsome reputation, and he was seen as the key to the Greeks’ success in the war against Troy. His wrath, however, proved to be equally famous.
The story of Achilles in The Iliad revolves around his anger and eventual reconciliation with the Greek army and his own sense of destiny. At the beginning of The Iliad, Achilles is embroiled in a dispute with Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces. Agamemnon had taken the captive woman Briseis, who had been awarded to Achilles as a prize of war. Feeling insulted and dishonored by Agamemnon’s actions, Achilles withdraws from the fighting, refusing to participate in the battle despite his importance to the Greek cause. His withdrawal has significant consequences, as the Trojans, led by their hero Hector, begin to gain the upper hand in the war.
Achilles’ decision to withdraw is motivated by his sense of personal honor, a key aspect of the heroic code in ancient Greek culture. For Achilles, his personal glory and sense of worth are paramount, and he refuses to fight under circumstances he views as demeaning. This tension between personal honor and duty to a larger cause is a central theme in The Iliad. Achilles’ rage is not just directed at Agamemnon but also at the very nature of the human condition. He is painfully aware of his mortality, and this knowledge influences his actions and decisions throughout the epic.
The death of Patroclus, Achilles’ closest friend and companion, serves as a turning point in the story. Patroclus, wearing Achilles’ armor, is killed by Hector, the Trojan prince and the greatest warrior on the opposing side. Stricken with grief and guilt, Achilles is consumed by a desire for revenge. His rage at Hector and the Trojans reignites his will to fight, and he returns to the battlefield with a singular focus on avenging Patroclus. The description of Achilles in battle after his return is one of unbridled fury and unmatched prowess. He cuts through the Trojan forces with terrifying ease, slaughtering countless enemies in his pursuit of Hector.
Achilles’ confrontation with Hector is one of the most famous scenes in The Iliad. Hector, knowing that his death is inevitable, faces Achilles outside the walls of Troy. Despite his courage, Hector is no match for Achilles, who swiftly kills him and then dishonors his body by dragging it behind his chariot around the walls of Troy. Achilles’ treatment of Hector’s corpse is seen as a violation of the warrior code, which dictated that even enemies should be treated with respect in death. However, Achilles’ rage blinds him to these considerations, and it is only through the intervention of the gods and a personal plea from Hector’s father, King Priam, that Achilles finally relents and returns Hector’s body for a proper burial.
Throughout The Iliad, Achilles is portrayed as a man caught between his human emotions and his almost god-like abilities. His anger, grief, and sense of honor make him one of the most complex characters in ancient literature. He is not a one-dimensional hero; rather, he embodies the full range of human emotions, from love and friendship to anger and vengeance. His relationship with the gods further complicates his character. Although he is a mortal, Achilles is closely connected to the divine through his mother Thetis and his interactions with the Olympian gods, who frequently intervene in the events of the Trojan War. His quasi-divine status sets him apart from the other Greek heroes, but it also isolates him, as he struggles with his identity as both human and more than human.
Achilles’ powers, both physical and martial, are unmatched. He is often described as the greatest warrior of his time, invulnerable except for his heel. In battle, he is swift, nearly unstoppable, and capable of defeating any opponent. This invincibility is both his greatest strength and his eventual downfall. His skill with weapons, particularly the spear, is legendary, and his ability to inspire and lead his men into battle makes him a formidable force on the battlefield. His powers, however, are not just physical; Achilles is also intellectually sharp, capable of strategic thinking and deep reflection, as shown in his speeches and interactions with other characters.
Achilles’ vulnerability, the so-called “Achilles’ heel,” has become a metaphor for a critical weakness in someone otherwise strong or powerful. This aspect of the myth speaks to the broader themes of mortality and fate in The Iliad. Despite his near-invincibility, Achilles is still subject to the whims of the gods and the inescapable fate that hangs over all mortals. The inevitability of death, even for someone as powerful as Achilles, is a constant theme in the epic. Achilles knows that his destiny is to die young if he continues to fight in the Trojan War, yet he chooses this path in order to achieve eternal glory. This tension between life and death, and the desire for immortality through fame, is at the heart of Achilles’ character.
The concept of kleos, or glory, is central to Achilles’ motivations. In the heroic code of ancient Greece, a warrior’s reputation and legacy were of utmost importance. Achilles is acutely aware that his name will live on in the stories told about him, and this desire for kleos drives many of his decisions. His choice to return to the battlefield after Patroclus’ death is not just about avenging his friend; it is also about securing his place in history as the greatest of the Greek warriors. The pursuit of kleos, however, comes at a great personal cost, as Achilles sacrifices his chance for a long life in favor of a short, glorious one.
Achilles’ fate is ultimately sealed by his own pride and the prophecy surrounding his death. In later myths, it is said that Achilles was killed by Paris, the Trojan prince, with an arrow guided by the god Apollo. The arrow struck Achilles in his one vulnerable spot, his heel, leading to his death. This moment, although not described in The Iliad, is an essential part of Achilles’ myth and has been depicted in countless works of art and literature throughout the centuries. His death, like his life, is marked by a mixture of divine intervention and human action, reinforcing the theme of fate’s inescapability.
The story of Achilles has endured for millennia, influencing not only Greek culture but also Western thought and literature as a whole. His character embodies the complexities of heroism, mortality, and the human condition. Achilles is not a flawless hero; his anger, pride, and desire for vengeance often cloud his judgment. Yet, these very flaws make him relatable and human. He is a figure who transcends his own time, speaking to universal themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of greatness.
In many ways, Achilles’ legacy is that of a tragic hero, whose strengths are also his weaknesses. His unmatched prowess in battle makes him a fearsome warrior, but his inability to control his emotions leads to personal and moral consequences. His story serves as a reflection on the nature of heroism and the cost of glory. Achilles’ desire for eternal fame, even at the expense of his life, highlights the tension between individual ambition and the broader human experience.
Achilles’ mythological significance goes beyond The Iliad. He has been depicted in various forms of art, from ancient Greek vase paintings to Renaissance sculptures and modern literature. His name has become synonymous with heroism and vulnerability, and his story continues to captivate audiences around the world. Whether as a symbol of martial prowess, human frailty, or the pursuit of immortality, Achilles remains one of the most enduring figures in the canon of world mythology.