Questions tagged [achilles]
Questions related to or pertaining to the Greek demigod and hero, Achilles. He is most known for his role in the Trojan War.
11
questions
13
votes
1answer
860 views
Was Achilles really motivated by eternal glory?
I've been reading a lot of interpretations of Achilles' decision to return to battle, and many top scholars seem to think that he sacrificed his life in order to achieve some form of eternal glory. ...
9
votes
3answers
8k views
What did Achilles look like?
(So there is this controversy about a black guy playing Achilles in some new show. Which made me wonder...)
What did Achilles look like?
Can we say how Achilles really looked? (From what I remember ...
8
votes
1answer
233 views
Could Achilles have killed Hector at a later time?
Achilles was given two choices by his mother, either stay and die with imperishable fame or leave the war and live a life of peace. When he heard Hector killed Patroclus, to escape his fate and take ...
7
votes
1answer
443 views
Did Achilles suspect he might die by Hector's hands?
In Richmond Lattimore's translation, the following lines (9.410-416) are a part of Achilles' first speech in Book Nine:
For my mother Thetis the goddess of the silver feet tells me
I carry two ...
6
votes
2answers
185 views
What is the significance of the two cities on the Shield of Achilles?
In Book 18 of the Iliad, Homer describes the Shield of Achilles. The second layer from the shield's centre features scenes from two cities. In the first city a wedding and a tribunal are taking place:
...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Why does Hector accept Achilles' challenge?
The first time Hector meets Achilles on the battlefield, in Book IX of the Iliad, he is prudent enough to avoid dueling the Myrmidon superhero. However, in Book XXII Hector decides to face Achilles in ...
4
votes
1answer
124 views
Death of Achilles
The Iliad ends with the burial of Hector. There is nothing about the death of Achilles, only predicted by Hector. In Greek Mythology did he really die? Or was it added in Roman Mythology together with ...
4
votes
2answers
153 views
Why does Achilles continue fighting?
Why does Achilles continue fighting after killing Hector?
He only returned to avenge Patroclus and he did that. Didn't he end up feeling empathy for Priam and the Trojans?
3
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the fight between Odysseus and Achilles?
I remember reading in the Odyssey about a bard retelling the story of Odysseus and Achilles having a fight. It had Odysseus put his head down in tears as the bard sang the story. But it didn't say ...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
Why does Achilles put up with Agamemnon's abuse?
Why doesn't Achilles simply kill Agamemnon and his army?
Agamemnon seriously disses him, repeatedly and it's an honor/shame society.
0
votes
3answers
311 views
How long do demigods live for?
I am wondering this, as it is a fascinating question in it's own right. I know that Heracles lived at about age 70-80, but what is the minimum, if not the maximum age a demigod can live.
