You may not know much about the mythic hero Achilles, but you’ve certainly heard the idiom that uses his namesake: Achilles’ heel. The expression refers to a subtle weakness despite overall strength. In other words, the one thing that leads to a person’s downfall.

But in ancient Greek mythology, Achilles’ heel was his actual downfall – literally. We learn from Homer that the Greek war hero was killed by the Trojan prince Paris after the latter struck him with an arrow in the heel.

It was this act that finally subdued the mighty Achilles, the semi-divine champion of the Trojan War. And perhaps it’s the reason that his name lives on time immemorial.

In this article, we’ll review everything you need to know about the mythological figure of Achilles.

What is Achilles best known for?

Achilles is known for his incredible strength, courage and loyalty. He was loved by the Greek gods, notably Zeus and the warrior goddess Athena. And he’s most famous for his involvement in the Trojan War as the champion of King Agamemnon’s Achaean forces and the slayer of the mighty Trojan prince, Hector. Achilles championed an elite fighting force known as the Myrmidons. It’s in part because of this that he’s become such an iconic figure around the world. And his name continues to inspire bravery and strength in anyone who hears it.

Achilles was a prince

The father of Achilles, Peleus, was also a war hero like his famous son, but not only that – he was the king of Phthia, a district in the interior of ancient Greece. This made Achilles a prince, or as he’s referred to in the Iliad, the prince of Peleus. Had he not been killed during the Trojan War, he would have gone on to become king himself.

Achilles was a demigod

Achilles’ immense strength and bravery made him seem almost superhuman, leading many to believe he was indeed a divine creature. But this isn’t exactly the case. Rather, Achilles was only semi-divine. His father was a mortal. And his mother, Thetis, was an immortal goddess, a Nereid sea nymph who is described in the Iliad as a casual visitor of Mount Olympus, the dwelling place of the Olympian gods.

Despite his divine mother, however, Achilles wasn’t quite a god himself. Immortality was one of the main attributes that distinguished the ancient Greek gods from mortals. And Achilles was famously mortal. But there were parts of the ancient Greek world in which Achilles was worshiped as a god regardless. On Snake Island, situated in the Black Sea off the coast of modern-day Odessa, Ukraine, for example, archaeologists have located an ancient temple dedicated to the war hero.

Legend of the Achilles heel

The legend of Achilles’ heel is a well-known tale from Greek mythology. It tells the story of Thetis’s plan to make Achilles immortal. The sea nymph decided it best to dip her son into the magical River Styx to accomplish this. But Thetis failed to fully immerse Achilles in the water. She held him by his ankle, so his entire body was protected by the magical water except the part of it that was never submerged. 

Achilles’ ankle was, therefore, the only mortal part of his body that could be destroyed – thus representing the famous ‘Achilles Heel’ that we know today; a metaphorical symbol associated with a person’s greatest weakness or vulnerability.

Achilles and Patroclus: Was Achilles gay?

No article on Achilles is complete without mentioning his dear friend (and possible lover) Patroclus.

The question as to whether Achilles and Patroclus were lovers is one that has received a lot of scholarly attention over the centuries. It is particularly perplexing given the lack of explicit evidence in Homer’s Iliad. On the surface it may appear that this famed duo had a familial bond, but such a relationship could have been the result of cultural customs prevalent at the time and not necessarily an indicator of true feelings between them. Modern interpretations tend to lean toward calling them romantically involved, with some even going so far as acknowledging their love as an important symbol for same-sex relationships and LGBTQ history. Regardless of which approach you take to Achilles and Patroclus, it’s clear that their relationship is worthy of careful consideration. And it will likely continue to inspire debate well into the future.

Achilles and Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great is one of history’s most famous conquerors whose legacy continues to be admired and discussed in the present. He ushered in the Hellenistic era, the last and most illustrious of the three periods of ancient Greece, with his epic campaigns in Asia. Because of his successes, Alexander’s feats have long been tied to his mythical hero, Achilles, who he was often thought to have modeled himself on. It’s likely that Alexander felt strongly connected to the Hellenic heroes in general. 

This is evidenced by his journey to the ancient site of Troy in 334 BC. Right after his initial invasion of Asia, Alexander sacrificed to the Homeric heroes on the site of the Trojan War battlefield. According to Plutarch, he believed these heroes, including, and most especially, Achilles, to be his ancestors. Although there has been much dissension and debate among historians concerning the level of influence that Achilles had on Alexander’s conquests, nearly everyone agrees that it was an important factor in establishing Alexander’s inspiration and determination.

Achilles was raised by a centaur

Achilles has some strong connections with a centaur in Greek mythology called Chiron. Chiron was not only Achilles’ teacher but also his companion and friend. He was renowned as the most just and wise of all centaurs. In fact, he was so respected that Zeus made him a god after his death. Chiron taught Achilles how to fight with a sword and gave him extensive lessons on archery and horsemanship. In return for his tutelage, Achilles showed great loyalty and reverence to Chiron, which earned him the approval of an immortal teacher at a young age. This special relationship between Achilles and Chiron serves as a model for respect between students and their mentors.

The Legacy of Achilles

War hero. Demigod. Gay icon?

The legacy of this mythological figure carries on in many forms, the Achilles heel story being just one of them. His impact on modern culture remains strong. Achilles is a representation of the ideal of strength, courage, and fortitude. But he also serves as a reminder that everyone – even the greatest among us – has a weakness.