# Achilles — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide

> Achilles in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Thetis, Achilles by Thetis

**First appearance:** 0004-i-introduction

## Snapshot

The mightiest Greek at Troy, son of the sea-goddess Thetis, whose blazing wrath shapes the war's final turns.

## Who they are

Achilles stands at the head of the Greek host before Troy, a warrior whose skill in battle is matched only by the fury that governs him. His quarrel with Agamemnon over honor and plunder drives a wedge through the Greek camp, and his refusal to fight costs his comrades dearly. Bulfinch presents him as the archetype of heroic pride, a man whose anger is as dangerous to his own side as to the enemy.

## In the story

### [The Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—Winds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxii-the-rural-deities-erisichthon-rhoecus-the-water-deities-camenae-winds)

Daughter of Nereus and Doris, mother of Achilles, sought by Jupiter but wed to a mortal.

### [The Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—Winds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxii-the-rural-deities-erisichthon-rhoecus-the-water-deities-camenae-winds)

Son of Thetis and Peleus, renowned hero of the Trojan War.

### [Nereus and Doris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/nereus-and-doris)

Son of Thetis, one of the Nereids

### [Thetis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/thetis)

Son of Thetis and Peleus, destined to become a great hero.

### [Thetis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/thetis)

Daughter of Nereus and Doris, destined to marry a mortal and mother of Achilles.

### [Aurora and Tithonus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/aurora-and-tithonus)

Greek hero who defeats and kills Memnon in battle.

### [XXVII: The Trojan War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxvii-the-trojan-war)

Central Greek hero; quarrels with Agamemnon, withdraws from battle, returns after Patroclus's death, and confronts Hector.

### [XXVII: The Trojan War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxvii-the-trojan-war)

Sea-nymph mother of Achilles; secures divine armor from Vulcan for her son.

### [The Iliad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-iliad)

Central Greek hero who withdraws from battle after a quarrel with Agamemnon, later returns to avenge Patroclus's death, slays Hector, and eventually yields Hector's body to Priam.

### [The Iliad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-iliad)

Mother of Achilles; appeals to Jupiter to aid the Trojans after Achilles is wronged, and later comforts Achilles after Patroclus's death.

### [The Fall of Troy—Return of the Greeks—Orestes and Electra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxviii-the-fall-of-troy-return-of-the-greeks-orestes-and-electra)

Slain by Paris with a poisoned arrow guided by Apollo, striking his vulnerable heel.

### [The Fall of Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-fall-of-troy)

Slays Penthesilea but regrets it; killed by Paris with a poisoned arrow to his heel.

### [Menelaus and Helen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/menelaus-and-helen)

Mentioned as father of Neoptolemus, who marries Hermione.

### [Cuchulain, Champion of Ireland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/cuchulain-champion-of-ireland)

Compared to Cuchulain as the 'Irish Achilles' for their similar reckless courage and sense of personal merit.

### [A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/a)

Mentioned as the hero of the Iliad, son of Peleus and Thetis, slain by Paris.

### [N](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/n)

Father of Neoptolemus.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes)

Noted for the story of his invulnerability and its inconsistency with Homer.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/achilles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters