achilles

	Achilles The hero Achilles stars in Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad, which tells of his exploits in the Trojan War. A great warrior, he was also a flawed man. Anger and injured pride made him refuse to lead his men into battle; his friend Patroclus took his place and was killed. In grief and revenge, Achilles slew the Trojan warrior Hector, knowing this was pre-ordained to trigger Achilles’ own death. Achilles was killed when Paris’ poison arrow, guided by Apollo, hit him in his vulnerable heel – the only part of him not immersed when his mother dipped him in the River Styx as a baby to make him immortal. To the Greeks, Achilles embodied the heroic code, choosing glory over long life.