# Patroclus — The Iliad character guide

> Patroclus in The Iliad by Homer.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Menoetiades, knight Patroclus, Noble Patroclus, the gallant Menoetiades

**First appearance:** 0001-the-iliad

## Snapshot

Achilles' closest companion, whose loyalty pulls him onto a battlefield his friend has abandoned.

## Who they are

Patroclus fights in Achilles' shadow, loved and overshadowed by the greatest of the Greeks, and it is his compassion for the wounded army that draws him out. When he can no longer watch the Achaeans die, he takes up Achilles' armor and leads the Myrmidons in a desperate counterattack. His fate is the hinge on which Achilles' wrath turns from sulking to slaughter.

## Relationships

### [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/achilles)

_friendship_

Achilles and Patroclus are extremely close companions, with Achilles' grief over Patroclus's death driving the central conflict.

### [Hector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/hector)

_rivalry_

Hector kills Patroclus in battle, mistaking him for Achilles, which triggers Achilles' rampage.

### [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/achilles)

_friendship_

Achilles and Patroclus are extremely close companions, with Achilles' grief over Patroclus's death driving the central conflict.

### [Achilles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/achilles)

_friendship_

Achilles and Patroclus are extremely close companions, with Achilles' grief over Patroclus's death driving the central conflict.

## In the story

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

Achilles' beloved companion; dons Achilles' armor, is killed by Hector, prompting Achilles' return to battle.

### [Book XI: The Third Battle, and Exploits of Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xi-the-third-battle-and-exploits-of-agamemnon)

Engages in conversation with Nestor, learning of the Greek casualties and the need for aid.

### [Book XVI: The Sixth Battle—Death of Patroclus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xvi-the-sixth-battle-death-of-patroclus)

Weeps before Achilles, persuades him to lend his armor, leads the Myrmidons, kills Sarpedon, disobeys orders, is disarmed by Apollo, wounded by Euphorbus, and slain by Hector.

### [Book XVII: The Seventh Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xvii-the-seventh-battle)

Fallen hero whose body is the central object of the battle.

### [Book XVIII: The Grief of Achilles for the Death of Patroclus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xviii-the-grief-of-achilles-for-the-death-of-patroclus)

Lies dead, his body recovered by the Greeks after Achilles's intervention.

### [Book XIX: The Reconciliation of Achilles and Agamemnon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xix-the-reconciliation-of-achilles-and-agamemnon)

His body is preserved by Thetis; mourned by Achilles and Briseis.

### [Book XXIII: The Funeral of Patroclus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-xxiii-the-funeral-of-patroclus)

Appears as a ghost to Achilles, pleading for a proper burial so he can enter Hades.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters/patroclus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iliad_se/characters