Achilles

**Pantheon**: Greek

**Title**: Hero of the Trojan War, The Swift Hero, Achilleus

**Alignment**: Lawful - Neutral

Achilles is most famous as the Greek hero of the Trojan War. He is the son of Peleus and Thetis, a powerful sea goddess who tried to make her son immortal and came very close, married to Deidamia; father of Neoptolemus. One myth has Thetis dipping baby Achilles into the sea while holding his heel. Everywhere ocean water touched became invulnerable; his only remaining weak spot was the heel she held. The term, *Achilles’ heel*, indicating someone’s sole profound vulnerability, has entered common language: this is its origin.

Achilles is the central figure of Homer’s Iliad, the story of the Trojan War, a 20-year battle between the Greeks and the Trojans after the abduction of Helen by Paris. Writers after Homer further developed the story of Achilles and around this figure grew a series of great legends. A soothsayer prophesied that without the aid of Achilles the Greeks would never defeat the Trojans. Achilles went bravely into battle and indeed the Greeks won the war. Achilles was a hero in battle, and he has become a symbol of the fighting man doomed to die in war but glorying in the fulfilment of heroism and achievement. He is a vivid character, given to rages and revenge, such as his barbarous treatment of the body of the slain Trojan hero Hector.

## The Childhood of Achilles

Thetis, the mother of Achilles, was a sea nymph who had been wooed by Zeus and Poseidon. She reluctantly married Peleus and left him soon after the birth of Achilles. Knowing that Achilles was destined to be a hero who would win glory but also die in battle, she bathed the infant in the river Styx, trying to make him invulnerable to wounds. But the heel by which she held the child remained dry, and it was from an arrow wound in the heel that Achilles eventually died. The arrow was shot by either Apollo or Paris, in a battle near the end of the Trojan War.

As the child Achilles grew, Thetis put him in the care of Chiron, the gentle and wise Centaur. Chiron fed the lad the entrails of lions and the marrow of bears to make him brave, and taught him the arts of riding and hunting as well as of music and healing. When the Greek leaders began to prepare for war with Troy, Peleus, knowing that Achilles faced certain death in Troy, hid his son in the court of Lycomedes, king of Scyros, and disguised him as a girl. However, since the seer Calchas had prophesied that without Achilles the Trojans would never be defeated in the war, the Greeks were determined to seek out the young man. Odysseus, another Greek hero, sent presents to the “girl,” among them a superb spear and shield. When Achilles promptly and expertly took up these objects in a battle alarm, the Greeks recognized him for the man that he was and they led him off to the battlefield.

## Achilles at War

Achilles had had early training in the arts of war (as well as of music and healing) from Chiron. When he went to war against the Trojans, Achilles led his own army, unlike the rest of the Greeks, who acknowledged Agamemnon as their leader. It had been prophesied that without Achilles the Trojans would triumph over the Greeks. Therefore there was much dismay when Agamemnon and Achilles quarrelled over the beautiful captive Briseis, who had been stolen away from Achilles by Agamemnon. In a fury, Achilles withdrew his army from the war, with disastrous results for the Greeks. This is the quarrel from which the events described in the Iliad commence. When the Greeks began to lose ground in the battle against the Trojans, Achilles finally sent his troops back into war under the leadership of Patroclus, his dearest friend. Patroclus was killed by the Trojan hero Hector. Achilles then went back into the war and routed the Trojans. He slew Hector. Despite the anguished pleas of Priam (king of the Trojans and father of Hector), Achilles dragged the body around the wall of Troy and the tomb of Patroclus. Achilles finally gave the mutilated body of Hector to Priam in return for the warrior’s weight in gold.

## In Modern Practices

Achilles may be petitioned for help with hemophilia or any other health condition involving difficult-to-control bleeding. He may also be able to provide assistance with AIDS, toxemia, or other blood-related disorders.

In Greek mythology, Achilles is a liminal character, someplace between human and deity. He has a direct line to the divine via his mother. He goes into battle wearing armour crafted for him by Hephaestus. He is a god among men, albeit often a self-centered, merciless one. He is kind to his men and those for whom he feels responsible. He is a master healer who can staunch wounds and bleeding.

Achilles is omnisexual. He is extremely close to his mother. His primary relationship is with his cousin/lover, Patroclus, whose death at Troy filled Achilles with such grief and rage that he rejoined the war he had previously spurned.

In death, Achilles became a full-fledged deity. Some believe he always was one; that beneath the Greek myths is a Thracian sea-spirit whom the Greeks claimed as a hero. That Thrace fought on the side of the Trojans may explain some of Achilles’ ambivalence to the war. Achilles’ sacred island is what the Greeks called Leuce Island (*White* Island), but is now Snake Island in the Black Sea, off the coasts of Romania and Ukraine. Once upon a time it was called Achilles’ Isle and was the center of his veneration. In some versions of his myth, after death, Achilles married Medea. They live on Snake Island together.

Thetis brought Achilles’ and Patroclus’ ashes to this little island and had a sanctuary built. Some myths suggest that she herself raised the island specifically for this purpose. Ruins of a large square temple found in 1823 are believed to be his shrine, which featured an oracle and was tended by sea birds who flew out to sea, wet their wings, and returned to sprinkle the shrine clean. (The shrine was also staffed by priests.)

Achilles is Master of the Black Sea. He protects, guides, and advises those who navigate its waters. He appears in dreams offering advice regarding healing or even to personally perform healings. He is a bargainer and may not take someone’s first offer, holding out for more. In life, he was a prince and a hero, son of a powerful goddess: as a spirit, he does not come cheap. His old shrine on Snake Island was filled with offerings of precious metals and jewels. He may expect comparable offerings to be maintained on an altar for him. (This can be a personal altar. In other words, you are the caretaker for his property.) Alternatively, perhaps a substantial offering on behalf of preservation of the sea will suffice. Inadequate offerings are met with silence. Up the ante: when he’s satisfied, there will be a clear response.

**Plant**: Yarrow (*Achillea millefolium*)

**Birds:** Gulls and other sea birds

**Altar:** Achilles is a gregarious spirit. Keep him in company with those he loves: Patroclus, his mom, Medea. Keep a nautical, marine theme. Place a vessel of saltwater on his altar, as well as some miniature boats and mermaids to frolic with. (Young, handsome mermen, too; he likes variety.)

**Offerings:** To honour Achilles, honour Patroclus. That’s the key to getting into Achilles’ good graces. Otherwise, keep the offerings generous, lavish, and impressive. If you wish to offer him food, make it a feast.

**See Also:** Aeacus; Aegina; Chiron; Hephaestus; Iphigenia; Medea; Orpheus; Thetis

## Smite Lore

King Agamemnon brought his fury to bear against gilded Troy, for Prince Paris had stolen his Helen, his wife, whose beauty rivalled that of Athena and Aphrodite. To famed Achilles, invincible warrior, the king gave command of a thousand ships.

Across stormy seas and salted beach, soldiers sieged the city. Arrow and stone, blade and barb bounced from Achilles' skin. Bathed as a babe in the River Styx by his Nereid mother, his hide was hardened, imperviously made. Through every charge, every death-defying battle, Achilles was at the fore. Troy hung poised to crumble.

Until Agamemnon gave sleight to the mighty myrmidon. In grave offence, Achilles pulled his forces from the field. Hector, boldest, bravest, eldest of the Trojan princes seized the chance to push the Greeks to the sea. Water's reflection mirrored scorching sails as Hector fired their ships. All seemed lost until Achilles rose to meet him. Fierce and fast the two titans fought, but Hector's spear felled Achilles fair. Though Patroclus, it was, in the armor of Achilles, not Achilles who lay dead.

Wrathful at the loss of his faithful friend, Achilles donned armour newly made and challenged Hector alone. Spear and blade and armour rang, but Achilles could not be harmed. Hector, prince of Troy, died in battle that day.

Paris, brother lost, tearful eyed, let arrow loose, guided by divine envy. For some were Gods that could not suffer Achilles to survive. Straight and true the arrow flew and harpooned Achilles' heel, where his mother held him when submerged. The wound was deep, his weakness found, Achilles met his end.

## Fate Lore

One of the most prominent heroes in Greek mythology. One that swept through his life like a gale, while shining with a brilliance befitting the title of a hero. It's said that when asked by his Mother whether he'd like to live a normal and peaceful life or die like a hero, he chose the latter without hesitation.

According to the legends, the only weak point of Achilles, who possessed an invulnerable body, was his Achilles heel.

**Height/Weight:** 185cm ・ 97kg

**Source:** Greek Mythology

**Country of Origin:** Greece

**Weak point:** When his heel was pierced and his heart gouged out, he went on a rampage and subsequently died. What a weak point.

The Trojan War was triggered by Hector's brother, Paris who kidnapped Menelaus' wife, Helen. When heroes and kings were competing for Helen, they made an oath that if Helen were to be kidnapped, they would come running to rescue her without fail.

...However, the Achilles who was very young back then had nothing to do with that oath.

He was scouted by the Achaean army after it was prophecized that the battle couldn't be won if the son of Peleus did not participate. It's said that Achilles, born to the goddess Thetis and the hero Peleus, had his fate decided at a very young age.

Worried about his son, Thetis, for the sake of having him join the ranks of the immortal gods, roasted his whole body in sacred flames so his impure mortal blood would evaporate (according to another theory, he was soaked in the waters of the River Styx). However, such an act was akin to destroying Achilles as a human being so his Father, Peleus, strongly opposed making him a complete immortal.

The goddess Tethis returned to her birthplace and the hero Peleus, after thinking it over, left Achilles in the sage Chiron's custody, wishing for him to raise the young child. As a friend of Peleus, Chiron was more than happy to accept his request and Achilles received the upbringing of a hero by Greece's most renowned teacher. A few years later, Achilles who splendidly grew to adulthood, was
 asked to participate in the Trojan War and he triumphantly departed.

―――Of course, he was not aware of the tragedy that waited ahead, but even if he knew, the advance couldn't be stopped.

**Comet Running Form**

**Rank:** A+

**Type:** Anti-Unit (Self) Noble Phantasm

**Range:** 0

**Maximum Number of Targets:** 1

Dromeus・Komētēs.

A continuously invoked Noble Phantasm that is activated upon descending the 『Immortal Chariot of Storms and Raging Waves』.

The embodiment of the legend of being the fastest among all heroes of every era. Dashing through a vast battlefield in the blink of an eye, even if there are obstacles on the field, his speed won't falter. Although he must expose his weak point, his Achilles heel, there are few Heroic Spirits who could catch up with his speed.

**Amaranth of the Brave**

**Rank:** B

**Type:** Anti-Unit (Self) Noble Phantasm

**Range:** 0

**Maximum Number of Targets:** 1

Andreias・Amarantos.

The blessing of immortality was bestowed on his whole body with the exception of his heel by his Mother, the goddess Tethis. Any kind of attack is invalidated, however, those who hold the inherent skill 『Divinity』 can negate the effects of this skill.

**Spear-tip of the Star Traversing the Skies**

**Rank:** B+

**Type:** Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm

**Range:** 2~10

**Maximum Number of Targets:** 1

Diatrekhōn・Astēr・Lonkhē.

After descending the 『Immortal Chariot of Storms and Raging Waves』, it becomes available for use.A long spear gifted by Chiron to Achilles' parents when they married. Endowed with High-Thaumaturgy capable of constructing an arena comparable to a Reality Marble where fellow heroes can duke it out one-on-one, but only if the opponent has agreed to it. As a result of not being summoned as a Lancer, the curse of denied healing is lost.

**Tempestuous Immortal Chariot**

**Rank:** A

**Type:** Anti-Army Noble Phantasm

**Range:** 2~60

**Maximum Number of Targets:** 50

Troias Tragōidia.

A chariot pulled by three stallions. The animals are two immortal divine horses given by the Sea God Poseidon and a single fine horse plundered from a certain city. It tramples down the battlefield by means of divine speed. It is possible to bestow additional damage in proportion to the rise in speed. At maximum velocity, this is just like a giant, dashing lawnmower.

**The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky**

**Rank:** A+

**Type:** Bounded Field Noble Phantasm

**Range:** 0

**Maximum Number of Targets:** 1

Akhilleus Kosmos.

A defensive bounded field Noble Phantasm comparable to Rho Aias. A shield supposedly created by the Blacksmith God Hephaistos. It projects the very world that Achilleus saw in life, and the ocean currents from the Sea God whirl at the outer sections. To oppose this shield means to challenge the world, so it can even fend off Anti-Fortress・Anti-Country Noble Phantasms upon activation.

## Appearances in Modern Media

From SmiteFrom FateFrom HadesFrom Age of IshtariaFrom Dawn of GodsFrom Kamihime ProjectFrom Monster StrikeFrom Blood BrothersFrom Sid StoryFrom Force of WillFrom Rage of Bahamut
## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes

Greek and Roman Mythology A to Z, Revised Edition – Written by Kathleen N. Daly and Revised by Marian Rengel