Achilles: The Illiad. When the Iliad begins, the Trojan War has been going on for nine years. Achilles, the poem's protagonist, has led one battle after another. He has met with great success–in fact, he is undefeated in battle–but the war itself has reached a stalemate. read more
In Greek mythology, Achilles (/əˈkɪliz/, uh-KILL-eez; Greek: ἀχιλλεύς ) was a Greek hero of the Trojan War and the central character and greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad. His mother was the immortal nymph Thetis, and his father, the mortal Peleus, was the king of the Myrmidons. read more
The warrior Achilles is one of the great heroes of Greek mythology. According to legend, Achilles was extraordinarily strong, courageous and loyal, but he had one vulnerability–his “Achilles heel.” Homer’s epic poem The Iliad tells the story of his adventures during the last year of the Trojan War. read more