Achilles

In Greek mythology, Achilles—also known by his Greek name Achilleus (Ἀχιλλεύς)—was a legendary hero of the Trojan War, famed as the greatest warrior among the Greeks. He is the central figure in Homer’s Iliad, where he is portrayed as a fierce and almost godlike fighter. Achilles was the son of Thetis, a sea nymph, and Peleus, king of Phthia and a former Argonaut. Raised in Phthia alongside his close companion Patroclus, Achilles was tutored by the wise centaur Chiron, who trained many Greek heroes.

In the Iliad, Achilles commands the Myrmidons, a powerful and loyal band of warriors. His most celebrated act during the Trojan War is the killing of Hector, the prince of Troy, in retaliation for the death of Patroclus. Although his death is not described in the Iliad, later traditions agree that Achilles was eventually slain by Paris, who struck him with an arrow—often said to have been guided by the god Apollo.

The most enduring legend about Achilles' vulnerability emerged in later Roman-era texts, particularly the Achilleid by Statius. According to this version, Thetis tried to make her son invulnerable by dipping him in the River Styx. However, the heel she held him by remained dry and unprotected, becoming his only weak spot. This story gave rise to the modern expression “Achilles’ heel,” referring to a singular point of vulnerability in an otherwise strong individual or system. The Achilles tendon, found at the back of the ankle, is named in reference to this myth.

Achilles remains one of the most iconic figures in classical mythology—representing unmatched strength, tragic heroism, and the human struggle between glory and mortality.