Achilles was one of the greatest Greek heroes to take part in the Trojan War. When Achilles was but a child, his mother decided to bathe him in the Styx River, and as a result, he became immortal in all of his body except for his heel.
Achilles Quick Facts
The baby was suspended from his heel so that this part of his body remained human and mortal flesh, and eventually, this weakness would lead to the end of Achilles.
Achilles' birth was the beginning of two prophecies, one of which was his mother's and the other being his. He was destined to fall to an arrow in his heel.
He spent the majority of his childhood under the mentorship of the centaur Chiron. His mother was the goddess Thetis. Thetis, realizing that her son was destined for a brilliant yet short life, tried to hide Achilles from the world and raised the boy with the royal family on Skyros.
Achilles was unstoppable throughout the Trojan War. He killed many of the greatest warriors of Troy.
There were so many Greek gods involved, some helping the Greeks and others helping the Trojans. Achilles captured a beautiful princess named Briseis at one point during the war and fell in love with her.
Nevertheless, Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek army, was furious with Achilles and took from him Briseis. Achilles was discouraged, refusing to fight.
The Greeks began to lose the war because Achilles was not fighting.
Hector was Troy's greatest fighter, and no one could stop him. Patroclus persuaded Achilles to provide him with his armor.
Patroclus, dressed as Achilles, joined the battle.
The Greek army was inspired, believing that Achilles was with them, and started fighting harder. Just as conditions for the Greeks changed, Patroclus met Hector.
The battle was fought by the two warriors. Hector killed Patroclus with the aid of Apollo and took the armor of Achilles. Then Achilles joined the battle to avenge the death of his friend.
He met Hector on the battlefield and defeated him after a long struggle.
Achilles kept fighting the Trojans, and it seemed as if he couldn't be defeated.
Apollo, however, knew his weakness.
As Troy's Paris fired an arrow at Achilles, it was directed by Apollo so that Achilles hit on the heel.
Finally, Achilles died of the injury. To this day, everyone knows of the great Achilles and the life he led.