Achilles was a legendary figure from Greek mythology, best known as the greatest warrior in Homer's Iliad, which chronicles his role in the Trojan War.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Achilles was born as the son of Peleus and Thetis. While Achilles was still a babe, Thetis had a premonition that her son would become a great warrior. Taking him to the banks of the River Styx, she plunged him into its waters, rendering all parts of his body invulnerable, save for his heel, by which she held him. Satisfied with the fruits of her journey, she returned home with the child.[1]
A few years later, as Achilles grew, an oracle foretold that he would die beneath the walls of Troy from a wound in his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body. Vowing that her son would never meet such a fate, she entrusted Achilles to the centaur Chiron, who had been responsible for the education of all the great heroes. From Chiron, Achilles learned all that a warrior was expected to know. Once he had completed his studies, he returned to his father's court where his mother was heartened by his presence.[1]
War of Troy[]
Knowing that Achilles would soon be summoned to join in the war, Thetis sent him to the court of Lycomedes, where he assumed the guise of a maiden to hide from the impending call to arms. Many messengers were sent to find Achilles and summon him to the fleet at Aulis, but all returned without him or knowledge of his whereabouts. Suspecting that Achilles had hidden him self in the court of Lycomedes, Ulysses journeyed there disguised as a peddler. As he offered his trinkets for sale, Ulysses noted one maiden who seized a weapon from the cart and wielded it with great skill. Realizing this must be Achilles, Ulysses spoke with great eloquence, finally convincing Achilles to journey with him to Aulis, and thence to Troy.[1]
When the Greeks landed on the shores of Mysia en route to Troy, Telephus, King of Mysia, sought to battle them. Taking a terrible wound from Achilles in the battle, Telephus lived from then on in great pain, for the injury would not heal. He pleaded with Apollo for healing, but received only the re sponse, "He that wounds shall heal." Thus it was that Telephus entered the Greek camp outside Troy and sought out Achilles, who created an ointment containing rust from the spear and applied it to the wound, healing it.[1]
Many legends sprang from the war with Troy, with those that deal with Achilles made up but one part of the complete saga. For Achilles, the war brought great sorrow and ultimately, tragedy. After seeing his dear friend Patroclus - who was wearing Ahilles' armor - fall to Hector in combat, Achilles renewed his own involvement in the war, slaying Hector in revenge. Priam, Hector's father, came to Achilles' tent to claim the body of his son. Achilles agreed to a truce, which would allow for the the dead to be honored and buried.[1]
Death[]
When hostilities resumed, Achilles stood at forefront of the Greek assault. He spied a lovely woman, Polyxena, the daughter of Priam. Though he sought her hand, he knew he would not be able to wed her until the war ended. As Achilles rode from the gates of Troy newly betrothed, Paris, brother of Polyxena, took aim and fired a poison-tipped arrow, hitting him in his one vulnerable spot, his heel. Thus was the premonition of Thetis brought to fruition, as Achilles died from the wound.[1]
Legacy[]
Ulysses and Ajax, both eager to own the weapons of Achilles, fought over them, with Ulysses triumphant. Ajax, overcome with grief and sorrow at losing both his friend and the spear, killed himself. Polyxena, herself overwhelmed with anguish at the loss of her betrothed, slew herself on top of Achilles' tomb. What became of the spear remained speculation.[1]
According to rumors and legends the tomb of Achilles was supposedly guarded by the gods themselves, who have laid down many wardings to ensure that the final resting place of one of the greatest warriors in the history of humankind is not disturbed.[1]
As with the Aegis, the Germans were actively seeking the Achilles' spear in the 1930s to use in the coming war.[1]
Sources[]
- Indiana Jones Artifacts
- George S. Patton - American Achilles (Non-fiction source)
