Achilles is one of the most famous and complex heroes in Greek mythology, known for his strength, bravery, and tragic fate. He is central to Homer’s epic “The Iliad”, where his actions and emotions drive much of the narrative during the Trojan War. Achilles is celebrated as a great warrior and is often considered the greatest of the Greek heroes who fought at Troy. However, his story is also one of profound human emotions, pride, and the inevitable tragedy of life.

1. Parentage and Early Life

• Father: Peleus, the mortal king of the Myrmidons, a group of fierce warriors.
• Mother: Thetis, a sea nymph with divine powers, who played a key role in his birth and early life.

2. The Prophecy of Achilles

According to the myth, Thetis tried to make her son immortal. To do this, she dipped Achilles into the River Styx, which was said to confer invulnerability. However, she held him by the heel, which was not submerged in the water. This left his heel as his only vulnerable spot, a weakness that would later lead to his downfall.

There is also a prophecy about Achilles’ life: it was foretold that he would either live a long and uneventful life or a short but glorious one. He chose the latter, knowing that he would die young but achieve eternal glory in battle.

3. Achilles and the Trojan War

The Trojan War forms the backdrop of Achilles’ myth. He was one of the most important Greek heroes involved in the war, and his actions are central to the narrative of Homer’s “Iliad”.

The Quarrel with Agamemnon:

At the start of the Iliad, Achilles withdraws from battle after a quarrel with Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces. Agamemnon takes Briseis, Achilles’ war prize, as compensation after losing his own prize, Chryseis. Feeling dishonored, Achilles withdraws his forces from the battlefield, and the Greeks suffer greatly in his absence.

The Wrath of Achilles:

Achilles’ anger and pride become a central theme in the Iliad. His withdrawal from the battle allows the Trojans, led by Hector, to gain the upper hand. The war’s progress is significantly impacted by Achilles’ absence. Eventually, Patroclus, his close friend, is killed by Hector while wearing Achilles’ armor. This tragic event is the catalyst for Achilles’ return to battle.

4. The Return to Battle: The Death of Hector

Achilles is filled with rage and sorrow at the death of Patroclus. His return to the battlefield marks a dramatic turn in the war. He demands his armor from Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths, and re-enters the fray with renewed ferocity.

• The Duel with Hector: Achilles faces Hector, the greatest of the Trojan warriors, in single combat. Achilles kills Hector and, in his fury, dishonors Hector’s body by dragging it behind his chariot, a highly disrespectful act according to the customs of the time.
• The Return of Hector’s Body: Eventually, King Priam of Troy, Hector’s father, comes to Achilles to ransom his son’s body. Moved by Priam’s grief and bravery, Achilles agrees to return Hector’s body for a proper funeral, showcasing his capacity for compassion despite his earlier wrath.

5. Achilles’ Death

While Achilles is a near-invincible warrior, his fate is sealed by the very weakness his mother tried to prevent. His death is most famously depicted in later stories and versions of the myth, although it is not recounted in the Iliad, which ends before his demise.

• The Arrow of Paris: According to later traditions, Achilles is killed by an arrow shot by Paris, the Trojan prince. The arrow, guided by the god Apollo, strikes Achilles in his vulnerable heel, leading to his death. This moment gave rise to the term “Achilles’ heel,” referring to a person’s singular weakness despite overall strength.
• Other Accounts: Some versions suggest that Achilles died at the hands of Prince Memnon or through other means, but the most enduring and popular version is that of Paris and Apollo’s intervention.

6. The Legacy of Achilles

Achilles is remembered not just for his prowess as a warrior, but also for his deeply human qualities—his anger, his grief, and his choices. His story is one of glory, loss, and tragedy, and has had a profound influence on Western literature and culture.

Themes in Achilles’ Story:

• Honor and Glory: Achilles’ desire for personal glory and his sense of honor are driving forces in his decisions. His withdrawal from battle over a perceived slight demonstrates his rigid adherence to his own sense of pride and justice, even at the cost of the greater good.
• Fate and Mortality: Achilles’ story is closely tied to the theme of fate. Despite his divine heritage and invulnerability, he cannot escape his destiny—he will die young. His choice to embrace a short but glorious life over a long and uneventful one highlights the Greek ideal of heroic death—a death that ensures eternal fame and recognition.
• Friendship and Loyalty: Achilles’ grief over the death of Patroclus is one of the most emotional moments in the Iliad. Their bond is one of the central aspects of Achilles’ character, and it plays a major role in his return to battle and eventual actions.
• The Human Condition: Achilles embodies the complexity of human emotions, from wrath and vengeance to compassion and sorrow. His story reflects the internal struggles that define humanity, making him one of the most relatable and enduring figures in myth.

Achilles in Modern Culture:

Achilles continues to be a powerful symbol in modern literature, art, and film. His legacy can be seen in characters that embody the archetype of the flawed, powerful hero. Perhaps the most famous modern portrayal of Achilles is in the 2004 film “Troy”, where he is played by Brad Pitt. The character has influenced countless other works of fiction and continues to inspire stories of heroism, sacrifice, and vulnerability.

7. Conclusion

Achilles is a complex and multifaceted figure in Greek mythology. He is both a symbol of heroic idealism—the perfect warrior—and a deeply human character, whose pride, anger, and sorrow make him relatable. His story is one of epic proportions, where the themes of honor, fate, and mortality come into sharp focus. Whether in the ancient world or in modern interpretations, Achilles’ legacy as one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology remains a powerful cultural and literary touchstone.