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King of the Myrmidons (in Thessaly), the hero of Homer's epic poem called the Iliad. He is represented as brave and relentless. The poem begins with a quarrel between him and Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the allied Greeks: in consequence of which Achilles refused to go to battle. The Trojans prevail, and Achilles sends forth his friend Patroclos to oppose them. Patroclos fell; and Achilles, in anger, rushing into the battle killed Hector, the commander of the Trojans. He himself, according to later poems, fell in battle a few days afterwards, before Troy was taken.
Achilles Army:
The Myrmidons followed him to Troy.
Death of:
It was Paris who wounded Achilles in the heel with an arrow (a post-Homeric story).
Father:
Peleus (2 syl.), King of Thessaly.
Friend:
Patroclos.
Horses:
Balios (= swift-footed) and Xanthos (= chestnut-coloured), endowed with human speech.
Mistress in Troy:
Hippodamia, surnamed Briseis (2 syl.).
Mother:
Thetis, a sea goddess.
Son:
Pyrrhos, surnamed Neoptolemos (= the new warrior).
Tomb:
In Sigoeum, over which no bird ever flies. —Pliny. x. 29.
Tutors:
First, Phoenix, who taught him the elements; then Chiron the centaur.
Wife:
Deidamia. (5 syl.) De-i-da-my'-ah.
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