The Iliad Background or The Tragedy of Achilles

The Iliad Background Ἰλιάς or “The Tragedy of Achilles”

Who was Achilles? Achilles was the son of the mortal Peleus and the goddess Thetis (the sea goddess). He was the mightiest of the Achaeans (a Greek clan) who fought in the Trojan War. Achilles was very brave and undefeatable in battle – almost immortal, in fact.

Achilles Childhood Because Calchas prophesied that Achilles would be stronger than his father, Peleus gives Achilles to be raised by the centaur Chiron. However, before being sent away, Thetis made Achilles immune to death. There are two stories that explain how:

Achilles Story 1 • Thetis, Achilles’ goddess-mother, wanted to burn away the human part of her son; so she placed him upon a fiery altar. Peleus, Achilles’ father, intervened just in time, but an angry Thetis abandoned her son and husband.

Achilles Story 2 • Thetis held Achilles by the heel and dipped him into the River Styx to make him immortal. Thus, the only vulnerable (weak) spot on Achilles’ body was his tendon where his mother held him as she dipped him into the waters of death.

Achilles Childhood In addition, to being sent away by his father, Achilles was later hidden by his mother. There was a prophecy given about Achilles’ destiny while he was still a boy. A prophet named Calchas prophesied that the city of Troy would not be conquered by any other Greek state without Achilles’ help. Thetis knew that if her son went to Troy, Achilles would die an early death. So she sent him to the court of Lycomedes where he was hidden and disguised as a young girl. Achilles' disguise was finally discovered by Odysseus who took him to war.

Achilles Character Despite having the strength of someone who is part god, Achilles central weakness is his anger / rage, which often gets him into trouble with other leaders.

Achilles Rage (as theme): Achilles anger issues are a central theme in The Iliad, as is his ability to act with honor. The first two lines of the Iliad read: μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρί' Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγε' ἔθηκεν, Sing, Goddess, of the rage, of Peleus' son Achilles the accursed rage, which brought pain to thousands of the Achaeans.

Trojan War Background The Trojan War began as a result of events that took place at the wedding of King Peleus and Thetis (Achilles parents) many years earlier……

Judgement of Paris • The wedding took place in Troy in the presence of King Priam and his sons Hector and Paris. While Hector was the best warrior in Troy, Paris was known as the handsomest man in all the known world.

Judgement of Paris • This pretty boy was asked by Zeus to judge a divine “beauty contest” of sorts. A golden apple would be given to the most beautiful goddess present – Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite.

Judgement of Paris • Hera offered Paris ultimate power if he picked her; Athena promised to make him the wealthiest man alive, and Aphrodite promised to give Paris Helen – the most beautiful woman alive. {Nevermind that she was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta……} • Paris, of course, picked Aphrodite, and she helped him to steal Helen from her husband’s home and whisk her away to Troy, his boyhood home.

A War Begins This decision had many dire consequences. First, it turned the goddesses Athena and Hera against the Trojans. Second, it caused King Menelaus to enlists the help of his brother Agamemnon (King of Mycenae) and declare war against Troy.

The Greek state of Mycenae and their allies already had control of almost all the city-states in the Aegean Sea – except Troy. So Agamemnon saw it as a perfect opportunity to expand his empire and for his brother to avenge his loss.

A War Begins Menelaus, and Agamemnon also enlist the help of two other Greek kings – Odysseus and Achilles was somewhat reluctant to join in the fight. He had no interest in politics, but he was interested in making a name for himself as a great warrior.

Achilles and Agamemnon • While at war, Achilles became very angry at Agamemnon. Achilles refused to fight, and returned home in a pout. The Greeks needed his strength to win battles, but all of the rewards they had to offer could not entice him to return. However, he allowed his best friend – Patroclus – to fight in his place.

Achilles and Agamemnon The Greeks

Hector and Paris – The Trojans

Hollywood’s Iliad

Greek Culture – see notes! • Be sure to review your notes on Greek culture before reading!!