The Iliad · Character

Achilles

The Greeks' deadliest fighter, whose blazing quarrel with his own commander will cost the army more than any Trojan spear.

major

Also known as Pelides, Aeacides, Prince Achilles, Great Achilles, swift Achilles, godlike Achilles

First appearance: The Iliad

As a major figure in The Iliad, Achilles is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Central figure whose wrath drives the plot; withdraws from battle after quarrel with Agamemnon, returns after Patroclus' death, and kills Hector.

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Achilles is the young prince the Achaean host depends on most and controls least, first among warriors and quickest to feel slighted. When Agamemnon seizes his war prize, Briseis, his fury turns inward on his own side,…

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Character Web

63 connections

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Relationship types

Psychological
Friendship
Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Major Greek and Trojan Figures

+58 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Jupiter’s wrath, as he…

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Relationships

Priam
psychological · ambivalent
Achilles and Priam share a moment of profound empathy and grief when Priam begs for… How this plays out →
Patroclus
friendship · positive
Agamemnon
rivalry · negative
Zeus
professional · ambivalent
Hera
friendship · positive
Apollo
rivalry · negative
Athena
friendship · positive
Hector
rivalry · negative
Agamemnon
rivalry · negative
Patroclus
friendship · positive
Zeus
professional · ambivalent
Hera
friendship · positive

Priam
Achilles and Priam share a moment of profound empathy and grief when Priam begs for Hector's body, transcending enmity.
Patroclus
Achilles and Patroclus are extremely close companions, with Achilles' grief over Patroclus's death driving the central conflict.
Agamemnon
Achilles and Agamemnon are bitter rivals over honor and Briseis, leading to Achilles' withdrawal from battle.
Zeus
Zeus intervenes in Achilles' fate, sometimes aiding him and sometimes balancing the war according to divine will.
Hera
Hera favors Achilles and the Greeks, often intervening to support him against the Trojans.
Apollo
Apollo opposes Achilles, especially after Achilles desecrates Hector's body, and helps guide Paris's arrow to kill Achilles.
Athena
Athena aids Achilles, restraining his rage at key moments and guiding his actions in battle.
Hector
Achilles and Hector are mortal enemies on the battlefield, with Achilles seeking vengeance for Patroclus's death.
Agamemnon
Achilles and Agamemnon are bitter rivals over honor and Briseis, leading to Achilles' withdrawal from battle.
Patroclus
Achilles and Patroclus are extremely close companions, with Achilles' grief over Patroclus's death driving the central conflict.
Zeus
Zeus intervenes in Achilles' fate, sometimes aiding him and sometimes balancing the war according to divine will.
Hera
Hera favors Achilles and the Greeks, often intervening to support him against the Trojans.

Relationship notes

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See Achilles in The Iliad

In the story

Achilles appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Iliad
Central figure whose wrath drives the plot; withdraws from battle after quarrel with Agamemnon, returns after Patroclus' death, and kills Hector.
Book I: The Contention of Achilles and Agamemnon
Calls the council, quarrels with Agamemnon over Briseis, and is restrained by Athena from killing Agamemnon.
Book IX: The Embassy to Achilles
Rejects the embassy's offers, expressing his bitterness over Agamemnon's insult and his resolve to return to Phthia.
Book XVI: The Sixth Battle—Death of Patroclus
Pities Patroclus, relents and allows him to fight in his armor, warns him not to pursue the Trojans to Troy, watches the battle from afar.
Book XVIII: The Grief of Achilles for the Death of Patroclus
Grieves deeply for Patroclus, vows vengeance on Hector, and accepts his own fated death.
Book XIX: The Reconciliation of Achilles and Agamemnon
Renounces his wrath against Agamemnon, arms himself with divine armor, and mourns Patroclus.
Book XX: The Battle of the Gods
Returns to battle with rage, slaying Iphition, Demoleon, Hippodamas, Polydorus, and many others.
Book XXI: The Battle in the River Scamander
Continues his relentless slaughter of Trojans, fights the River Scamander, and kills Asteropaeus.
Book XXII: The Death of Hector
Achilles pursues Hector around Troy, kills him, and then drags his body behind his chariot back to the Greek ships, vowing to honor Patroclus.
Book XXIII: The Funeral of Patroclus
Leads the mourning for Patroclus, performs sacrifices, and presides over the funeral games.
Book XXIV: The Body of Hector Recovered
Still grieving Patroclus, he drags Hector's body but eventually yields to the gods' will and accepts Priam's ransom.

Chapter companion notes

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