Achilles in the Ancient Sources: 276 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (1)

Hesiod, Fragments 1.68The suitors of HelenThe best-preserved passage of the Catalogue lists the heroes who came to woo Helen, each with his gifts, from Philoctetes and the sons of Amphiaraus to Odysseus, Menestheus, Aias and Idomeneus. Tyndareus sends none away and receives no gift, and the passage ends with the birth of Hermione.

Homer (86)

Homer, Iliad 21.136–232Achilles and Asteropaeus; the river risesThe river-god is angered at the bodies that choke his stream and tells Achilles to stop, but Achilles will not. He kills Asteropaeus, a grandson of the river, after a fight in which Asteropaeus casts both spears at once, and drives the Paeonians before him. The river rises against him, and Achilles is swept off his feet and cries out to Zeus.
Homer, Iliad 20.353–454Achilles' fury; Apollo saves HectorAchilles' fury is unchecked and he calls to the Achaeans to rouse themselves for the fight, while Hector is warned by Apollo not to meet him in the throng. When Achilles kills Iphition, Hippodamas and Demoleon, and then Polydorus, Priam's son, Hector can bear it no longer and comes against him. Athena turns his spear aside with a breath, and Apollo hides Hector in thick mist.
Homer, Iliad 21.514–611Priam on the wall; Agenor and Apollo's trickApollo goes into Troy, and Priam, watching from the wall, orders the gates opened to take in the fugitives. Agenor, urged on by his own heart, decides to stand and face Achilles, thinking that he too is mortal and can be killed. Apollo draws Achilles away from the city by taking Agenor's shape and running before him, and the Trojans pour into Troy.
Homer, Iliad 24.618–676Priam and Achilles share a mealPriam and Achilles eat, and each marvels at the other, Priam at Achilles' height and beauty and Achilles at Priam's words. Priam asks for sleep and for time to bury Hector, and Achilles has beds made on the porch and agrees to hold back the war until the funeral is over. Priam and the herald lie down on the porch, while Achilles sleeps inside with Briseis.
Homer, Iliad 20.259–352Achilles and Aeneas fight; Poseidon rescues AeneasAeneas casts his spear, which pierces two layers of Achilles' shield but is stopped by the gold of the third, and Achilles' spear passes through Aeneas' shield and over his shoulder. Aeneas lifts a great stone, but Poseidon, pitying him, carries him high over the fighters to the rear of the battle and tells him not to fight Achilles again. Poseidon scatters the mist from Achilles' eyes.
Homer, Iliad 24.468–551Priam ransoms Hector's body: the supplicationPriam goes in unseen, clasps Achilles' knees and kisses his hands, and begs him to remember his own father, Peleus. Achilles, moved, weeps with him, and the two mourn together for Hector and for Patroclus. Achilles speaks of the two jars of Zeus, one of good and one of evil, and tells Priam that he must endure.
Homer, Iliad 20.75–155Apollo rouses Aeneas; the gods sit apartAchilles wants above all to meet Hector, but Apollo, in the likeness of Lycaon, goads Aeneas into facing him. Aeneas protests that some god always stands beside Achilles, and Apollo answers that he too is the son of a goddess, Aphrodite, and should pray to the gods. Hera tells Poseidon and Athena that the gods should stand by Achilles, but Poseidon proposes that they sit apart on the wall of Heracles and join the fight only if Ares or Apollo begin it.
Homer, Iliad 21.1–135The ford of the Xanthus; the death of LycaonAt the ford of the river the Trojans split, one half fleeing to the city and the other driven into the stream, where Achilles leaves his spear on the bank and cuts them down with his sword. He takes twelve youths alive to be slain at the pyre of Patroclus. Lycaon, a son of Priam, clasps his knees and begs for his life, but Achilles tells him that all must die, kills him and throws him into the river.
Homer, Iliad 11.762–848Nestor's plea to Patroclus; Eurypylus is woundedNestor reminds Patroclus how Menoetius told him to advise Achilles, and asks him to persuade Achilles to fight, or at least to lend his armour so that the Trojans take Patroclus for him. Patroclus hurries back, but meets the wounded Eurypylus and takes him to his hut, where he cuts out the arrow and dresses the wound.
Homer, Iliad 19.338–424Athena feeds Achilles; the horse Xanthus speaksZeus tells Athena to put nectar and ambrosia into Achilles' breast so that hunger cannot touch him, and she flies down like a falcon. The Achaeans pour out from the ships and Achilles arms, his shield gleaming like the moon, and takes the heavy ash spear of Peleus. He tells his horse Xanthus not to leave him dead as they left Patroclus, and Xanthus, given a voice by Hera, tells him that his own day is near, though Apollo and not they killed Patroclus.
Homer, Iliad 23.108–191The funeral pyre of PatroclusAt dawn Agamemnon sends men with mules to fetch wood from Ida, and Meriones leads them. The wood is laid in a pyre a hundred feet each way, and the body is brought out, covered with locks of hair cut off by the Myrmidons, with Achilles' own hair laid in the dead man's hands. On the pyre are laid sheep, cattle, horses, two of the dead man's dogs, and the twelve Trojan youths, and Achilles cries out against Hector's body, which Apollo and Aphrodite keep from the dogs.
Homer, Iliad 24.1–76Achilles' grief; the gods pity HectorThe games end, and the army scatters to supper and sleep, while Achilles weeps for Patroclus and drags Hector's body three times round the tomb each dawn. Apollo keeps the body from decay, and the gods pity Hector, and Hermes proposes to steal it, but Hera, Poseidon and Athena refuse, since they still hate Troy. Apollo rebukes the gods for their favour to Achilles, and Zeus decides that Hector shall be given back.

74 more passages of Homer that name Achilles

Apollodorus (4)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.3.1–35Paris and Helen; the muster at Aulis and the landing at TroyParis judges the contest of the three goddesses, carries off Helen, and Menelaus and Agamemnon call the Greek kings to arms; Odysseus's feigned madness is exposed and Palamedes is framed. The section gives the catalogue of the Greek fleet at Aulis, the omen of the snake and sparrows, the failed first landing in Mysia and the healing of Telephus, and the sacrifice of Iphigenia. After Tenedos and the abandonment of Philoctetes, Protesilaus is the first to die at Troy, Achilles takes many nearby cities, and the Trojan allies are listed.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.4.1–7The Iliad in brief: Achilles' anger, Patroclus and HectorThe Epitome gives a short account of the events of the Iliad: Achilles withdraws from the fighting because of the quarrel over Briseis, Paris and Menelaus fight a single combat, and Hector drives the Greeks back to the ships. Patroclus, wearing Achilles' armour, is killed by Hector. Achilles takes up Hephaestus's new armour, kills Hector and drags his body, holds games for Patroclus, and Priam ransoms Hector's body.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.13.1–8Peleus, Thetis and the youth of AchillesPeleus flees to Phthia and is purified, kills Eurytion by accident in the Calydonian hunt, and escapes the plots of Astydamia, wife of Acastus. With help from Chiron he wins Thetis, who tries to make their son Achilles immortal in the fire. When Calchas declares that Troy cannot be taken without Achilles, Thetis hides him among the daughters of Lycomedes, where Odysseus finds him; Phoenix and Patroclus join him.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.5.1–23The death of Achilles, the Wooden Horse and the fall of TroyPenthesilea and then Memnon come to Troy's aid and are killed by Achilles, who is himself shot by Paris and Apollo. The contest for Achilles' arms drives Ajax to madness and suicide. Troy falls after Philoctetes shoots Paris, Helenus reveals the three conditions, Neoptolemus joins the army and Odysseus steals the Palladium, and the Greeks take the city with the Wooden Horse, Sinon and the beacon at Tenedos; the section closes with the sack, the deaths of Astyanax and Polyxena, and the division of the captives.

Pindar (7)

Pindar, Isthmian Odes 8.1–70Isthmian 8: for Cleandros — Thetis and the AeacidaePindar calls on the youths to sing at the door of Telesarchus for Cleandros of Aegina, pancratium victor, and says that the relief from war's dread may be healed by freedom. He tells how Zeus and Poseidon strove to wed Thetis until Themis declared that she must bear a son greater than his father, so that she was given to Peleus. He ends by praising Cleandros' kinsman, the boxer Nicocles, who won the crown of Dorian celery at the Isthmus.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 2.1–100Olympian 2: for Theron — the house of Cadmus and the Isles of the BlestPindar praises Theron of Acragas, victor in the chariot race, and prays that time may heal the sorrows of his house. He recalls the house of Cadmus, with Laïus, Oedipus, the Fury that made his sons kill one another, and Polyneices' son Thersander. He then describes the afterlife, in which the wicked are punished and the good go to the Isles of the Blest, where Rhadamanthys judges and Peleus, Cadmus and Achilles dwell, and he ends by answering envy with the praise of Theron's generosity.
Pindar, Olympian Odes 10.1–105Olympian 10: for Hagesidamus — Heracles and the first Olympic gamesPindar owes Hagesidamus of Locri a song for his boxing victory and praises the Western Locrians and the trainer Ilas, whom he likens to Achilles beside Patroclus. He tells how Heracles killed the Molionidae and punished Augeas, then founded the Olympic games beside the tomb of Pelops, with altars to the gods and the naming of the hill of Cronus. He lists the first winners and compares the victor to Ganymede.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 3.1–84Nemean 3: for Aristocleides — the Aeacidae and CheironPindar calls on the Muse to come to Aegina for the pancratiast Aristocleides, and says that victory in the contest heals its blows. He recalls the Aeacidae: Peleus, who took Iolcus and won the sea-nymph Thetis, Telamon, who followed Heracles against Laomedon, and Achilles, whom Cheiron trained in all the arts of a hero. The ode ends with the virtues that suit each age of life.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 6.1–69Nemean 6: for Alcimidas — the Bassidae and AchillesPindar says that men and gods have one mother yet differ in power, and praises Alcimidas of Aegina, boys' wrestling victor, and his grandfather Praxidamas, who had won at Olympia. He praises the clan of the Bassidae and tells how Achilles, in the contest with Memnon, son of Dawn, killed him in battle.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 8.1–51Nemean 8: for Deinias — Ajax and OdysseusPindar invokes the queen of youthful prime, and praises Deinias of Aegina, double foot-race winner, and prays to Aeacus for his city. He recalls the envy that has always pursued the valiant, as it did Ajax, who killed himself after the Greeks gave Achilles' arms to Odysseus. He ends by saying that it is easy to raise a monument of song for Deinias' grandfather Megas and the Chariadae.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 6.1–50Pythian 6: for Xenocrates — Thrasybulus and AntilochusPindar likens his ode to a treasure-house at Delphi for Xenocrates of Acragas, victor in the chariot race, and praises his son Thrasybulus for keeping the old precept of honouring his father. He recalls Cheiron's teaching to Achilles to honour Zeus and parents, and how Antilochus died to save his father Nestor from Memnon.

Aeschylus (1)

Aeschylus, Fragments 57–75Memnon to NereidsThe Myrmidons supplies most of this section, with the Greeks' appeal to Achilles to come to their help, the story of the eagle that was shot with an arrow feathered from its own plumage, and the cry of a man who has lost his all and asks Antilochus to bewail the living rather than the dead. Other fragments come from the Memnon, the Mysians, the Youths and the Nereids, which mentions the dolphin-bearing sea and the linen that covers the dead.

Sophocles (6)

Sophocles, Philoctetes 1–85Prologue: Odysseus and Neoptolemus on LemnosOdysseus shows Neoptolemus the deserted shore of Lemnos where, ten years before, on the command of the chiefs, he left Philoctetes, whose foot was running with a gnawing disease and whose cries made it impossible to hold sacrifice. They find his cave, with its leaf bed, its wooden cup and its rags drying in the sun, and Odysseus sends a sailor to watch for the man. He tells Neoptolemus that he must cheat Philoctetes with a false story, in which he claims to hate the Greeks for giving his father's arms to Odysseus, in order to steal the bow.
Sophocles, Philoctetes 317–390First episode (cont.): Neoptolemus' false storyThe Chorus pity Philoctetes, and Neoptolemus says that he too has a grievance against the Atreidae. He tells Philoctetes that Achilles is dead, and that after the army called him to Troy he was refused his father's arms, which were given to Odysseus. He says that he has left in anger and is sailing home.
Sophocles, Ajax 1316–1375Odysseus persuades Agamemnon to allow the burialOdysseus arrives and calms the quarrel, telling Agamemnon that he must not let hatred override justice, since Ajax was the best of the Greeks after Achilles, and the gods will be angered by the dishonouring of a brave man. Agamemnon argues that Ajax was an enemy, and finally agrees to allow the burial, though he says that he is doing it for Odysseus' sake and that his hatred remains.
Sophocles, Philoctetes 219–316First episode: Philoctetes meets NeoptolemusPhiloctetes comes out and asks, in delight at hearing Greek, who they are. Neoptolemus says that he is the son of Achilles and is sailing home from Troy. Philoctetes tells how he was left alone on the island by the Atreidae and Odysseus, and describes ten years of hunger, cold and the pain of his wound, with no visitors but sailors who would not take him home.
Sophocles, Philoctetes 1263–1313Exodos (cont.): the bow restoredPhiloctetes comes out in fear, and curses Neoptolemus and the Atreidae when he will not listen. Neoptolemus swears that he is sincere and hands him back the bow, and Odysseus reappears to forbid it. Philoctetes aims at Odysseus, but Neoptolemus stops him, and Philoctetes praises Neoptolemus as the true son of Achilles.
Sophocles, Philoctetes 507–627Second episode: Neoptolemus agrees; the Merchant's warningThe Chorus urge Neoptolemus to pity the man, and he agrees to take Philoctetes on board, and Philoctetes is overjoyed. As they are about to go, a Merchant arrives and says that Phoenix and the sons of Theseus are coming after Philoctetes, and that Odysseus and Diomedes are sailing for the same purpose. He tells them that the Trojan seer Helenus has foretold that Troy will fall only if Philoctetes is brought to it, and Philoctetes says that he would rather die than be persuaded by Odysseus.

Euripides (35)

Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 1336–1367bFifth episode: Achilles reports that the army demands the sacrificeThe Chorus Leader pities Iphigenia, who sees Achilles approaching with armed men and is ashamed to face him, and Clytemnestra tells her that there is no time for affectation. Achilles says that a fearful cry has risen among the Argives that her sacrifice is necessary, and that he was nearly stoned for trying to save her. He says that Odysseus has been chosen to take her, and that he will defend her.
Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 801–856Third episode: Achilles meets Clytemnestra and the wedding is deniedAchilles arrives, calling for Agamemnon and complaining that his Myrmidons are restless at the delay. He meets Clytemnestra, who gives her name and her hand, and speaks of the marriage. Achilles, who knows nothing of it, is bewildered, and she withdraws in shame. As he turns to seek the king, the old servant calls him back.
Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 857–899Third episode: the old servant reveals Agamemnon's planThe old servant calls through the half-opened door, and, speaking to Achilles and Clytemnestra alone, tells them that Agamemnon is about to slay his daughter, at the order of Calchas, so that the army can sail for Troy. He says that the marriage was only an inducement, and that he had started to carry a letter forbidding the sacrifice, which Menelaus took from him.
Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 977–1035Third episode: Achilles promises to protect IphigeniaClytemnestra thanks Achilles and says that she will have her daughter come out if he wishes, but he says that she should not bring her out to be seen, and tells her to supplicate Agamemnon first. He says that if the king is stubborn she may come to him, and that he will keep watch over her.
Euripides, Hecuba 59–153Parodos: Hecuba's dream and the Greek decision to sacrifice PolyxenaHecuba, an old slave, is helped out of the tent by her women, and tells of a terrible dream of a fawn torn from her knees by a wolf and of the ghost of Achilles on his tomb, and prays that her daughter and her son may be spared. The Chorus of captive Trojan women comes in to tell her that the Greeks have decided in assembly to sacrifice Polyxena on the grave of Achilles.
Euripides, Trojan Women 230–293First episode: Talthybius announces the allotment of the captivesTalthybius, the Greek herald, tells Hecuba that he has been sent with a message, and she asks to whom each of them has been given. He answers that Cassandra has been chosen for Agamemnon, Polyxena has been told to serve at Achilles' tomb, Andromache has been given to Achilles' son, and Hecuba to Odysseus, and Hecuba cries out against her fate.
Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 115–163Prologue: Agamemnon sends a second letter to stop IphigeniaAgamemnon tells the old servant that he has changed his mind and is sending a second letter, to forbid Clytemnestra to send their daughter to Aulis. The old servant asks how Achilles will take being cheated, and Agamemnon says that Achilles lent his name without knowing it. He sends the old man off, telling him to guard the seal and watch the roads, and says that no one was ever born to a painless life.
Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis 900–976Third episode: Clytemnestra begs Achilles for helpClytemnestra kneels to Achilles, begging him to protect her daughter, who has been brought here in his name. Achilles says that he is angered at the use of his name, and that he will not let it be used to kill the girl. He promises to persuade Agamemnon, or else to prevent the deed with his sword.
Euripides, Rhesus 454–517Third episode: Rhesus asks to face Achilles; Hector describes OdysseusThe Chorus praises Rhesus and wonders how Achilles and Aias will stand against his spear, and Rhesus says that he wishes to march afterward against the Argives' own country. Hector tells him that he may take any post in the army, but that he cannot fight Achilles, who is angry and holds back from battle. Hector names Aias, Diomedes and Odysseus as the other chiefs, and describes how Odysseus stole the image of Athena and crept into Troy as a beggar, and Rhesus vows to impale him.
Euripides, Andromache 1–55Prologue: Andromache tells of her slavery at the shrine of ThetisAndromache, who has come from Thebes as the wife of Hector, recalls the fall of Troy and the death of her husband and tells how she became the slave of Neoptolemus and bore him a son. She says that his wife Hermione, who is childless, accuses her of using drugs and charms to make her barren, and that she has taken refuge at the shrine of Thetis while Neoptolemus is away at Delphi.
Euripides, Andromache 957–1008Fourth episode: Orestes takes Hermione and plots Neoptolemus' deathOrestes says that he waited to see how the quarrel with Hector's wife would end, and that he came to take Hermione away, since her father had betrothed her to him before the war and then promised her to Achilles' son. Hermione begs him to take her at once, and Orestes tells her not to fear her husband, since he has woven a net for his death, of which Delphi's rock will bear witness.
Euripides, Andromache 1070–1165Messenger speech: the death of Neoptolemus at DelphiA Messenger arrives with the news of the death of Neoptolemus. He tells how Neoptolemus came to Phoebus' shrine to atone for his past quarrel with the god, how men lay in ambush in the cover of the bay-trees, with Orestes, the author of the plot, among them, and how, when the Delphians attacked him at the altar, he fought alone, took armour from the pillar, and was at last struck down and stabbed by them all.

23 more passages of Euripides that name Achilles

Apollonius Rhodius (1)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.448–558The feast, Orpheus' song and the departure from PagasaeAt the feast on the shore Idas jeers at Idmon's prophecy and Idmon answers him, and Orpheus ends the quarrel by singing of the origin of earth, sky and sea. At dawn the heroes embark, Tiphys takes the helm and Argo leaves Pagasae to the music of Orpheus' lyre while Cheiron shows Achilles to his father Peleus from the shore.

Aristophanes (1)

Aristophanes, Frogs 899–940Agon: Euripides on Aeschylus' silent figures and bombastEuripides begins the attack by saying that Aeschylus brought on veiled mourners such as Achilles or Niobe who said nothing, and then filled the play with huge words that nobody could understand. Dionysus admits that he liked the silent mourners. Euripides then begins to describe how he took over a swollen and pompous art and slimmed it down.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 5.81.1–5.84.4Lesbos, Tenedos and the CycladesThe historian tells of the first settlers of Lesbos, including the Pelasgians, and of Lesbos son of Lapithes, who gave it its name, and of the colonies from Lesbos led by Macareus. He then tells of Tennes and the founding of Tenedos, and ends with the smaller Cyclades, which Minos colonised from Crete.

Ovid (13)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.64–145Achilles and CycnusThe Greeks land at Troy, and Hector kills Protesilaus, and Achilles meets Cycnus, a son of Poseidon (Neptune) whose skin no weapon can pierce. Achilles strangles him with the straps of his helmet, and Cycnus is turned into a swan.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.121–254The contest for the arms of Achilles: Odysseus repliesOdysseus (Ulysses) answers that Ajax's strength is of no use without the counsel that guides it, and that he, a descendant of Zeus (Jupiter), has served the Greeks as much with his mind as with his hands. He tells how he brought Iphigenia to Aulis for the common good, and how he found Achilles disguised among the daughters of Lycomedes and brought him to Troy. He tells too how he went as an envoy to Troy, and how he and Diomedes killed Dolon and Rhesus and won Rhesus' horses.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.534–628Periclymenus and the death of AchillesNestor ends his tale, and Tlepolemus, a son of Heracles (Hercules), reproaches him for passing over his father, and Nestor says that Heracles killed all his brothers except Periclymenus, whom Poseidon (Neptune) had given the power to change his shape, and who escaped by turning into an eagle until Heracles shot him. Poseidon, angry at the death of Cycnus, asks Apollo to destroy Achilles, and Apollo directs Paris' arrow, which kills him. His ashes lie in a small urn, and the contest for his armour begins.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.146–209CaeneusA truce follows the first battle at Troy, and at a feast in the Greek camp Achilles' invulnerability is praised, and Nestor tells of a similar man, Caeneus. Nestor tells how Caeneus was once the girl Caenis, loved by Poseidon (Neptune), who granted her wish to become a man who could not be wounded. Caeneus, rejoicing, lived for years as a man in northern Thessaly.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.1–120The contest for the arms of Achilles: Ajax speaksThe Greek chiefs gather to judge between Ajax and Odysseus (Ulysses), who both claim the armour of Achilles. Ajax speaks first, boasting of his strength and lineage, and of how he defended the ships against Hector's fire while Odysseus stayed behind. He accuses Odysseus of feigning madness to avoid the war, of abandoning Nestor in battle, and of getting Palamedes killed.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.255–381Odysseus' speech: his services at TroyOdysseus (Ulysses) lists the Trojan warriors he killed, reminds the chiefs that he carried the body of Achilles from the field, and answers the charge about Palamedes. He tells how the prophets said that Philoctetes and his arrows were needed to take Troy, and how he brought Philoctetes to the army. He says that he alone dared to enter Troy by night and take the Palladium, and he ends by asking for the arms as the reward of his mind, pointing to the image of Athena (Minerva).
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.439–480PolyxenaThe Greeks, held at Thrace by contrary winds, are visited by the ghost of Achilles, who demands the sacrifice of Polyxena, the daughter of Priam, at his tomb. Polyxena goes to the altar bravely, and asks only that her body be given to her mother. She dies with her modesty to the last, and the Greeks watch her fall.
Ovid, Fasti 5.379–418Fasti 5: Chiron and Heracles (Hercules) (3 May)Ovid describes the Centaur's constellation, rising soon after 3 May, and Chiron's cave on Pelion. Heracles (Hercules) visits, and a poisoned arrow falls on Chiron's foot; herbs fail to cure him while young Achilles weeps. On the ninth day the Centaur's stars rise, and brief notes on 5 and 6 May on the Lyre and the Scorpion follow.
Ovid, Heroides 3.1–154Heroides 3: Briseis to AchillesBriseis writes to Achilles from the camp of Agamemnon, to whom she was handed over. She complains that he has not claimed her back and has refused the embassy and its gifts, and she fears he will sail away and leave her. She begs him to return to the fighting, swears she has not shared Agamemnon's bed, and asks him to call her back to him.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.576–622Memnon's birdsThe gods are not moved by the fall of Troy, but Eos (Aurora), whose son Memnon was killed by Achilles, begs Zeus (Jupiter) for some honour for him. As Memnon's funeral pyre burns, his ashes become birds, which fight one another over the pyre and fall as sacrifices to the dead, and which return every year to repeat the battle. Eos still sheds tears for him, which fall as dew.
Ovid, Heroides 8.1–122Heroides 8: Hermione to OrestesHermione writes to Orestes, saying that Pyrrhus (Neoptolemus) is holding her in his palace against her will. She urges him to claim her back, citing Menelaus and the war for Helen as an example, and points to their shared descent. She describes her grief and her loathing of Pyrrhus, and swears that she will either die or be Orestes' wife.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 11.194–265Laomedon and Hesione; Peleus and ThetisApollo and Poseidon (Neptune) build the walls of Troy for King Laomedon, who cheats them of their pay, and Poseidon sends a sea-monster, to which Hesione is exposed, until Heracles (Hercules) saves her. Laomedon again breaks his word, and Heracles takes the city. Peleus marries the sea-goddess Thetis after he holds her through all her changes of shape, and she bears Achilles.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.481–575Hecuba and PolymestorThe Trojan women take up Polyxena's body and weep for all the sons of Priam, and Hecuba, who has lost nearly all her children, finds on the shore the body of her son Polydorus. She pretends to Polymestor that she has more treasure to give him, and draws him and his sons aside. With the help of the Trojan women she blinds him and kills his sons, and when she is stoned by the Thracians she turns into a dog, and her barking fills the land. Her fate moves even Hera (Juno).

Pausanias (16)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.24.1–11Laconian coast: Zarax, Cyphanta, Brasiae, Las and HypsaPausanias describes Zarax, destroyed by Cleonymus, the grotto of Aesculapius at Cyphanta with its spring struck by Atalanta, and Brasiae, whose people say Semele and the infant Dionysus drifted there in a chest. He then describes Las, with its temple of Athena Asia, the fountain Galaco, the river Smenus and the grave of Las. He argues from Homer that Achilles cannot have been a suitor of Helen.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.19.1–13Amyclae and Therapne: Hyacinth’s tomb, Helen and the White IslePausanias describes the image of the Amyclaean Apollo, standing on an altar said to hold the tomb of Hyacinth and carved with reliefs, and the sanctuary of Alexandra and Dionysus Psilax at Amyclae. He then follows the road to Therapne past the sanctuaries of Zeus, Cotylean Aesculapius and Ares Theritas, and gives the Rhodian story of Helen’s hanging and the tale from Crotona and Himera of Leonymus and the White Isle.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.11.1–7Pyrrhus of Epirus: ancestry and rise to the throneAthens has a statue of Pyrrhus. Pausanias traces the Epirote royal house from Pyrrhus son of Achilles, Andromache and Helenus, and tells how Aeacides, Alcetas and finally Pyrrhus came to the throne after the fall of Olympias, Pyrrhus being restored with Ptolemy’s help. As king he first attacks Corcyra; Pausanias notes that no Greek before Pyrrhus fought the Romans, since Alexander of Epirus fell in Lucania first.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.22.1–8Athens: Propylaea, Wingless Victory and the picture gallery of the AcropolisBelow the Acropolis are the temple of Themis, the barrow of Hippolytus with the Troezenian version of Phaedra’s love, and shrines of Vulgar Aphrodite, Earth and Green Demeter. Pausanias describes the single approach, the white marble Propylaea and the temple of Wingless Victory, where Aegeus is said to have thrown himself down. In the chamber of pictures he lists Polygnotus’ paintings of Diomede, Ulysses, Orestes and Polyxena, a portrait of Musaeus, and Hermes and the Graces by Socrates.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.25.1–10Laconian coast: Pyrrhichus, Teuthrone, Cape Taenarum and OetylumPausanias describes the river Scyras, Pyrrhichus with its well said to be a gift of Silenus, and its sanctuaries of Astratean Artemis and Amazonian Apollo, and Teuthrone. At Cape Taenarum he rejects the story of the descent of Hercules and discusses Hecataeus’ account of the snake called the hound of hell. He also notes Arion’s statue, the dolphin at Poroselene, Caenepolis, Hippola, Messa and Oetylum.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 4.28.1–8Messene after the return: the Macedonians, Elis and the stratagem of the Laconian shieldsAfter the Theban retreat from Peloponnese the Spartans press the Messenians again, and Messene allies with Philip of Macedon and does not take part in the Gallic war. When the Eleans quarrel among themselves, a thousand Messenians with Laconian shields enter Elis and put their own partisans in power. Pausanias compares the trick to Homer’s Patroclus in Achilles’ armour and to other Homeric stratagems.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.19.1–10Olympia: the Chest of Cypselus, fourth and fifth fieldsPausanias describes the fourth field, including Boreas and Orithyia, Hercules and Geryon, the fight of Achilles and Memnon, the Dioscuri rescuing Helen, scenes from the Trojan war, the judgment of Paris and the sons of Oedipus. He then gives his readings of the unlabelled uppermost field, such as Ulysses and Circe, and guesses that the verses are by Eumelus of Corinth.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 6.23.1–8Elis: the gymnasia and Silence StreetPausanias describes the old gymnasium of Elis, called Xystus, where the athletes train before going to Olympia, with its altars and the cenotaph of Achilles mourned by the women of Elis. He also describes the smaller Square gymnasium and the Maltho, with its reliefs of Love and Love Returned, and the statue of the boxer Sarapion of Alexandria. He ends with the Lalichmium, the way from the gymnasium to the baths, and the story of Silence Street, named after the silence of spies from the army of Oxylus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10.30.1–9Delphi: Polygnotus' painting of the underworld (3): the daughters of Pandareos, Phocus, Orpheus and ThamyrisPausanias continues the underworld painting with the daughters of Pandareos, Antilochus, Agamemnon, Protesilaus, Achilles and Patroclus, and Phocus giving a signet to Iaseus. He describes Maera, Actaeon with his mother and hound, and Orpheus seated in the grove of Proserpine beside the willows and Promedon. He ends with Schedius, Pelias, the blind Thamyris with his broken lyre and Marsyas teaching Olympus to play the flute.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.4.1–6The Gauls at Thermopylae and Delphi; origins of PergamumPausanias digresses to describe the Gauls (Celts) of the far north and their invasion of Greece. The Athenians under Callippus hold Thermopylae, but the Gauls cross Mount Oeta by the path Ephialtes once showed the Medes and march on Delphi, where thunderbolts, falling rocks and phantom warriors, among them Pyrrhus son of Achilles, drive them back. The survivors cross to Asia, take Ancyra and Pessinus and settle in Galatia, until the Pergamenians drive them from the coast; he sketches Pergamene history.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.13.1–9Pyrrhus at Sparta and Argos; his death and burialPyrrhus slips away from Italy, defeats Antigonus, and dedicates Celtic shields to Itonian Athena and Macedonian shields to Zeus at Dodona, with the inscriptions quoted. At Cleonymus’ urging he invades Laconia and wins a battle outside Sparta, but is killed in Argos by a tile thrown by a woman or, the Argives say, by Demeter, and is buried in her sanctuary there. Pausanias also gives the Spartan royal genealogy, earlier Spartan defeats, and a remark on the historian Hieronymus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.37.1–7The Sacred Way: tombs, the Cephisus and Harpalus’ monument to PythioniceContinuing along the Sacred Way, Pausanias lists the tombs of Heliodorus, Themistocles’ descendant and Nicocles the harpist, the story of Acestium and the Torch-bearers, and the precinct of Phytalus, where Demeter gave the fig-tree. Beyond the Cephisus he notes the altar of Gracious Zeus where Theseus was purified, the temple of Cyamites, and the great tomb Harpalus built for Pythionice, and the sanctuary of Apollo tied to the story of Cephalus.

4 more passages of Pausanias that name Achilles

Quintus Smyrnaeus (43)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 7.556–734Neoptolemus is honoured at the feastAthena comes down to Sigeum to watch Neoptolemus, who kills the twin sons of Meges, Celtus and Eubius, and many more. At nightfall the Argives honour him with gifts and a feast, and Agamemnon praises him as his father's image. Meanwhile the Trojans in their camp praise Eurypylus.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.665–787The pyre of AchillesAt dawn the Argives raise a great pyre, and Achilles is burned with the horses and men slain round it. His companions gather his bones into a silver casket, which the Nereids anoint and lay in a golden vase given by Thetis, and the Argives heap a barrow by the Hellespont. His immortal horses mourn him, and Poseidon rises from the sea to console Thetis.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 14.228–328Polyxeina is sacrificedAt dawn Neoptolemus tells the Argives his father's command that Polyxeina be sacrificed at his tomb. A storm rises when they hesitate, and they lead the maiden to the tomb. Hecuba, who has dreamed of it, wails, and Neoptolemus cuts the girl's throat.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 4.1–117Glaucus carried to Lycia; Thetis sets the gamesThe Trojans lay Glaucus on his pyre, but Apollo snatches him away to Lycia, where the Nymphs make a spring that bears his name. The Argives go on mourning Achilles, and in heaven Hera reproaches Zeus for favouring Troy while he sits silent. At dawn Diomedes urges an attack, but Aias says they must wait for Thetis, who now comes out of the sea to set out the prizes for the funeral games.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 2.388–548Achilles kills MemnonAchilles leaves the line and finds Memnon, rebuking him as inferior in blood and strength. They fight with swords and shields, and the long and even struggle is watched from Olympus. At last Eris tips the scales and Achilles kills Memnon.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.1–95Apollo shoots AchillesThe Pylians bury Antilochus by the Hellespont, and Achilles drives the Trojans back, filling the streams of Simois and Xanthus with the dead. Apollo warns him to stop, and Achilles defies him. Apollo, veiled in cloud, shoots an arrow into his ankle, and Achilles pulls it out in agony.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.96–211Hera rebukes Apollo; Achilles fallsHera rebukes Apollo for killing Achilles, reminding him that he sang at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, and Apollo sits silent and ashamed. The dying Achilles still kills Orythaon, Hipponous and Alcathous, and his last shout sends the Trojans reeling before he falls. Paris then urges the Trojans to drag the body to Troy behind Hector's horses.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 3.212–292The fight over Achilles' bodyThe Trojans, among them Glaucus, Aeneas and Agenor, close round the fallen Achilles to drag his body to Troy, but Aias bestrides it and thrusts them back, killing many. Glaucus threatens Aias, who answers with scorn and then kills him. Aeneas drags Glaucus' body away for the Trojans and, fighting on to strip Achilles, is pierced in the forearm by Aias and withdraws to Troy to be healed.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 7.169–291Odysseus and Diomedes at ScyrosThe ship comes to Scyros, where Odysseus and Diomedes find Achilles' son practising with spear and horses. Odysseus tells him of Achilles and the war, and the youth agrees to sail the next morning. Deidameia learns of the plan and clings to her son.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 9.210–320Apollo and Poseidon check NeoptolemusNeoptolemus drives against Deiphobus, who is snatched away by Apollo in a cloud, and Zeus then lifts the cloud. Neoptolemus presses the Trojans to the Scaean Gate. Apollo comes down to strike him as he struck his father, but Poseidon strengthens the Greeks, and Apollo yields.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.1–133Penthesileia comes to TroyAfter Hector's funeral the Trojans cower in Priam's city, afraid of Achilles. Penthesileia arrives from the Thermodon, longing for battle and fleeing the reproach of her own people, and the Trojans take heart. Andromache, hearing the queen's boasts, murmurs that she is no match for Achilles. At night Athena sends Penthesileia a deceitful dream.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.654–765Achilles and ThersitesAchilles takes the helmet from the dead queen's head and, seeing how beautiful she is, grieves for her. Ares rushes down from Olympus in anger for his child but is held back by Zeus. Thersites jeers at Achilles for pitying an Amazon, and Achilles strikes him dead with a single blow.

31 more passages of Quintus Smyrnaeus that name Achilles

Nonnus of Panopolis (2)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 23.162–224Book 23: Hydaspes calls on his brother riversHydaspes calls on a brother river and on Aiolos to help him punish Dionysos, who has made the river a highway for chariots. He rises in a great wave that sweeps away the Bacchants, Maron and the Satyrs' gear, more furiously than Simoeis and Camandros once attacked Achilles.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 25.194–270Book 25: Heracles compared; the poet turns back to the warThe poet measures the labours of Heracles (the Lernaean hydra, the deer, the Cretan bull, Geryon and the rest) against the exploits of Dionysos and finds them small. He asks Homer's pardon, says he will not compare Dionysos with Achilles, and prays for inspiration to return to the Indian war.

Antoninus Liberalis (1)

Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 25.1–27.4Metioche and Menippe, Hylas and IphigeniaThe daughters of Orion give their lives to end a plague in Aonia and are changed into comets. Hylas is pulled into a spring by nymphs and turned into an echo that answers Heracles. Artemis saves Iphigenia from sacrifice at Aulis, carries her to the Taurians and makes her the immortal consort of Achilles.

Bacchylides (1)

Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 12.1–14.23Odes 12–14: Pytheas of Aegina and the Aeacidae; Cleoptolemus of ThessalyOde 12 asks Cleio to guide the poet to Aegina and to a wrestler's victory at Nemea, but only its opening survives. Ode 13, for Pytheas of Aegina, shows Heracles, the descendant of Perseus, mastering the Nemean lion, praises Aegina and her heroes Peleus, Telamon, Achilles and Ajax, and tells how Achilles' anger let the Trojans drive the Greeks to their ships until Ajax stopped Hector. It ends with praise of the trainer Menander and of the host Lampon. Ode 14 reflects that fortune can crush or exalt a man before honouring Cleoptolemus of Thessaly and the domain of Poseidon Petraios.

Conon (1)

Conon, Narrations 9.1–18.1Semiramis, Pallene and the heroesConon makes Semiramis the daughter of Ninus, tells of the contest for Pallene's hand and of the curses that accompany the sacrifice to Heracles at Lindus. He then follows the line of Tros, Aethilla's burning of the ships at Scione, the descendants of Endymion and the reward of the Pheneatans. The section ends with the love tales of Promachus and of Syleus' daughter and Autoleon's cure at the island of Achilles, with Stesichorus' palinode.

Epic Cycle (3)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 5.1–38CypriaProclus' summary of the Cypria opens with Zeus planning the Trojan War with Themis, the quarrel of the three goddesses, Alexandrus, Helen and the gathering of the Greeks at Aulis. The fragments cover the earth burdened by men, the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Helen's birth to Nemesis, Castor and Polydeuces, and Alexandrus carrying Helen to Ilium.
Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 6.1–5AethiopisProclus' summary tells how Memnon, the son of Eos, comes to help the Trojans in armour made by Hephaestus, and how Thetis tells her son about him. Achilles is killed by Paris and Apollo and Aias carries the body away. A fragment adds the Amazon, the daughter of Ares, who came after the burial of Hector.
Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 7.1–26Little IliadProclus' summary of the Little Iliad begins with the judging of the arms of Achilles, which Odysseus wins, and the madness and death of Aias. Philoctetes is brought from Lemnos, Eurypylus is killed by Neoptolemus and Epeius builds the wooden horse. The fragments give the girls' quarrel over Aias and Odysseus, Achilles at Scyros, the golden vine given to Laomedon for Ganymedes, and the death of Astyanax.

Hyginus (3)

Hyginus, Fabulae 98–111The Trojan War and the sack of TroyIphigenia at Aulis, Telephus, Philoctetes, Protesilaus and Laodamia, Palamedes, the ransom of Hector and the death of Achilles are narrated briefly. The wooden horse, the story of Iliona and Polydorus, and the sacrifice of Polyxena bring the war to its end.
Hyginus, Fabulae 112–124Heroes in single combat, the Nostoi and OrestesLists of duels and of the Greeks and Trojans each hero killed are followed by Nauplius' false beacon and the homecomings of Menelaus and Agamemnon. The Orestes cycle is told from Clytemnestra's murderous plan to the exile and the Taurian expedition.
Hyginus, Fabulae 89–97Troy: Laomedon, Priam's sons, Paris and the muster of the GreeksLaomedon, the sea-monster and Hesione begin the Trojan material. Paris is exposed, grows up and judges the goddesses; Cassandra, Odysseus' feigned madness and the discovery of Achilles on Scyros lead to the catalogue of the Greek ships.

Lucian of Samosata (5)

Lucian of Samosata, The Parasite 45–51Homer's spongers; the sponger in war and peaceSimon finds spongers in Homer, among them Nestor, Idomeneus's friend and Patroclus, whom he calls Achilles' sponger. He argues that the sponger fights well, since he fights on a full stomach, and is at home in the gymnasium and the dining-room, while the philosopher shirks war and avoids the world.
Lucian of Samosata, Dialogues of the Dead 25.1–27.2Alexander, Hannibal and Scipio before Minos; Achilles; Protesilaus and HelenAlexander, Hannibal and Scipio plead before Minos for first place among the generals, and Minos puts Alexander first, Scipio second and Hannibal third. Antilochus reproaches Achilles for the poor-spirited words he spoke to Odysseus about death. Aeacus asks Protesilaus why he is throttling Helen, and Protesilaus blames her for his death.
Lucian of Samosata, On the Dance 1–16Crato attacks, Lycinus replies; the dance in Greek traditionCrato condemns the pantomime as unworthy of an educated man, and Lycinus answers that the dance is as old as the world. He traces it to Rhea and the Corybantes, to the Pyrrhic dance of Neoptolemus, to the Lacedaemonians who learned the Caryatic dance from Castor and Pollux, and to the dances of Homer's Shield of Achilles and of the Phaeacians. He adds that no ancient mystery was without dancing.
Lucian of Samosata, Dialogues of the Dead 21.1–24.3Moerichus and Aristeas; the road down; Agamemnon and Ajax; Minos and SostratusCrates tells Diogenes how two rich cousins who named each other heirs died on the same day and left their property to two distant relations. Diogenes, Antisthenes and Crates compare what they saw on the way down. Agamemnon asks Ajax why he blames others for his madness, and Ajax puts the fault on his rival for the arms of Achilles. Minos condemns the pirate Sostratus, who answers that he only served the will of Clotho, and the judge lets him off.
Lucian of Samosata, The Ignorant Book-Collector 1–7Buying books does not make you educatedLucian tells the book-collector that he is choosing the worst way to be thought a man of letters. He asks what the man does with all the books he has bought, and shows that he cannot tell good from bad. He mocks the copies of Homer and Demosthenes, which the owner cannot read.

Parthenius of Nicaea (2)

Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 21.1–22.1Pisidice and Achilles; Nanis and CyrusWhile Achilles is besieging Methymna on Lesbos, Pisidice, the king's daughter, falls in love with him and promises through her nurse to put the town into his hands. Once he has the town he has her stoned, and the story is told in two passages of verse. Nanis, daughter of Croesus, betrays Sardis to Cyrus on his promise to marry her according to the customs of the Persians, and he refuses to keep it.
Parthenius of Nicaea, Love Romances 26.1–28.1Apriate and Trambelus; Alcinoe; Clite and CyzicusTrambelus, son of Telamon, throws Apriate of Lesbos into the sea when she resists his ambush, and later, wounded in battle against Achilles, is mourned by him with a great barrow. Alcinoe, punished by Athena for cheating the spinner Nicandra, sails away with the stranger Xanthus and, repenting, throws herself into the sea. Clite, newly married to Cyzicus, hangs herself after he is killed fighting the heroes who sailed with Jason.

Plato (7)

Plato, Republic 386a–390eBook III: Stories of Hades, lamentation, laughter and self-controlSocrates says that if the guardians are to be brave they must not be told that Hades is dreadful, and he would strike out the Homeric passages in which the souls of the dead flit about gibbering like bats and Achilles says that he would rather be a serf on earth than king of the dead. He would also remove the lamentations of famous men, such as Achilles tossing on his side, Priam rolling in the dung, and Zeus mourning for Sarpedon and Hector, and he would not allow the gods to be shown overcome by laughter, as in the laughter of the immortals at Hephaestus. Truth is to be honoured, and only the rulers may use a falsehood, as a medicine for the city's good. The young must be taught obedience and self-control, so Homer's verses in which Achilles abuses Agamemnon as heavy with wine, with the eyes of a dog and the heart of a deer, are not to be recited.
Plato, Symposium 178b–180ePhaedrus: Love the eldest of the gods, and the courage of loversPhaedrus says that Love is a great god, wonderful among gods and men, and the eldest of the gods, as Hesiod says that after Chaos came Earth and Love, and Parmenides and Acusilaus agree. He argues that Love is the source of the greatest good, since a lover and his beloved would be ashamed to do wrong before each other, and an army of lovers would conquer the world. He gives the examples of Alcestis, daughter of Pelias, who died for her husband, of Orpheus, whom the gods sent away with only a phantom of his wife, and of Achilles, who died for his lover Patroclus and was sent to the Islands of the Blest. Pausanias then says that the praise should say which Love is meant, since there are two Aphrodites, the elder, without a mother, the heavenly one, daughter of Uranus, and the younger, the common one, daughter of Zeus and Dione.
Plato, Republic 391a–393eBook III: Tales of heroes; the two forms of speech, narrative and imitationSocrates adds that the guardians must not hear that Theseus, son of Poseidon, and Peirithous, son of Zeus, attempted terrible rapes, nor that Achilles was so greedy that he took gifts from Agamemnon and returned a dead body for ransom. He says that they have now decided what to say about the gods, demigods and heroes, and what is said about Hades, and that what remains is the manner of telling, and the question of what men should be told about men. He sets aside the latter until they know what justice is, and turns to style. Using the opening of the Iliad, where the priest Chryses begs for his daughter, he distinguishes the poet speaking in his own person, simple narration, from the poet speaking as if he were the character, imitation.
Plato, Cratylus 425b–428eThe limits of etymology; the sound of the letters and the first lawgiversSocrates says that they must take language to pieces as the ancients put it together, and that those who say the earliest names are foreign, or ancient, evade the question, as tragedians do by bringing in a god on the machine. He explains how the letters imitate: rho for motion, iota for the subtle that goes through everything, phi, psi, sigma and zeta for what is windy and shaken, delta and tau for binding and stopping, lambda for the smooth and gliding. He says that Hermogenes and he cannot do all this exactly, but should do the best they can, adding a little to a little, as Hesiod says is worth while. Cratylus says that Socrates' oracular utterances please him, as Achilles told Ajax, and Socrates answers that the worst deception is self-deception, so they must go back over what they have said.
Plato, Symposium 205a–208eDiotima: love of the good, birth in beauty, and the desire for immortalityDiotima says that the lover desires that the good should be his for ever, and that love is of the possession of the good for ever, which is why happiness is the end of all love. She says that the activity of lovers is giving birth in beauty, in body or soul, since all mortals are pregnant in both and desire to bring forth when they have come to a certain age. Birth is an immortal and divine thing in a mortal creature, which is why the love of beauty is really the love of immortality, and why animals too are ready to die for their young. She says that Alcestis would not have died for Admetus, nor Achilles for Patroclus, nor Codrus for the kingdom of his sons, if they had not hoped for an immortal name, and that even the same person is always becoming new, in body, in character and in knowledge.
Plato, Protagoras 338a–340eAn arbiter of the debate; the poem of Simonides to ScopasCallias refuses to let Socrates go, and the company decides that no single arbiter is needed, but that all shall act as judges, and Protagoras agrees to ask questions and answer in his turn. Protagoras says that the greatest part of education is to be skilled in verse, to understand what a poet says and judge whether it is right, and takes up a poem of Simonides addressed to Scopas the son of Creon the Thessalian. He quotes the lines that it is hard to become truly good, and then Simonides' blame of the saying of Pittacus that it is hard to be good, and claims that the poet contradicts himself. Socrates, wanting time to think, calls on Prodicus as the fellow-countryman of Simonides, as in Homer the river Scamander calls on the Simois against Achilles.
Plato, Apology 28b–30eDuty before death: Achilles, Potidaea and the gadflySocrates says that what will convict him is the prejudice and envy of the many, as it has convicted other good men. To the objection that he should be ashamed of a way of life that puts him in danger of death, he answers that a man should only ask whether he acts rightly, as the son of Thetis, who chose to die avenging his friend Patroclus by killing Hector rather than live in disgrace. He recalls how he stood his ground in the army at Potidaea, Amphipolis and Delium, and says that the god has ordered him to examine himself and others, an order he will not desert even if he is acquitted on condition of stopping. He calls himself a gadfly given by the god to the city, like a stinging fly set on a large and sluggish horse.

Plutarch (10)

Plutarch, Table Talk (Quaestiones convivales) 5.3.1–5.4.2Book 5, Questions 3 and 4: the pine garland of the Isthmian games; Achilles' stronger wineQuestion 3, at Corinth, asks why the Isthmian garland was made of pine, and the guests recall that the body of Melicertes was found by a pine and that Ino ran with him to the sea. They discuss whether the pine is sacred to Neptune or Bacchus, and recall that Corinthians once wore wreaths of parsley, which was replaced by pine after the Nemean games and later restored. Question 4 asks what Achilles meant when he told Patroclus to mix the wine zoroteron: Niceratus takes it to mean hot, Socicles well-tempered, and Plutarch argues that the order was not for undiluted wine, since Achilles, as Chiron's pupil, knew that diluted wine suits men at rest.
Plutarch, Greek Questions 21–30Questions 21-30: the Cretan Katakautai, the Sepulchre of the Boys, Tenes and Achilles at TenedosQuestion 21 explains the Cretan Katakautai through the Tyrrhenians who carried off Athenian women from Brauron and later settled in Crete. Question 22 tells of Cothus, who bought land from playing boys, and the Sepulchre of the Boys at Chalcedon. Other questions treat the Argive titles Mixarchagetas and Elasioi, the term Alastor, and the exclusion of the crier from the shrine of Ocridion at Rhodes. Question 28 explains why no piper may enter the temple of Tenes at Tenedos and why Achilles may not be named there, and Question 29 describes the Epidamnian poletes.
Plutarch, Life of Pyrrhus 1.1–3.5Pyrrhus of Epirus: descent from Achilles and his escape as an infantThe kings of the Molossians in Epeirus descend from Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, and are called Pyrrhidae; Achilles is honoured there under the name Aspetus. When the Molossians expel Aeacides, the infant Pyrrhus is smuggled away and brought across a flooded river after a message wrapped round a stone is thrown to the far bank. Glaucias, king of the Illyrians, takes him in, refuses Cassander's offer of two hundred talents, and sets him on the throne at the age of twelve. Plutarch also describes his teeth and the healing power ascribed to his right foot.
Plutarch, Greek Questions 31–39Questions 31-39: Eretrian rites of Demeter, the daughters of Minos at Orchomenus, the LycaeumQuestion 31 asks why the Eretrian women roast their meat in the sun at the feast of Demeter, and the next questions treat the Milesian Aeinautai, the Chalcidian Youth's Conventicle, and the Ithacan who sacrificed an ox to his benefactor. Other questions explain the Bottiaean maids' song 'Let us go to Athens', the Elean women's hymn that calls Dionysus with an ox's foot, and the Achilleum at Tanagra. Question 38 explains the Psoloeis and Oleiai of Orchomenus, the daughters of Minos who went mad, and the priest of Dionysus who pursues them at the Agrionia. Question 39 asks why the Arcadians stone those who enter the Lycaeum willingly.
Plutarch, Life of Alexander 14.1–17.5Alexander, Diogenes, the Delphic prophetess and the battle of the GranicusThe Greeks assembled at the Isthmus proclaim Alexander leader of the expedition against Persia, and Diogenes of Sinope, found lying in the sun at Corinth, asks him to stand out of his light. At Delphi, on a day when oracles are forbidden, he drags the prophetess towards the temple and takes her cry that he is invincible as his answer, while a cypress-wood image of Orpheus sweats and Aristander reads it as a good sign. After crossing the Hellespont he sacrifices to Athena at Ilium and runs a race at the gravestone of Achilles. At the Granicus he plunges into the river with thirteen troops of horse, and Black Cleitus kills Spithridates as he raises his battle-axe for a second blow, and at Xanthus a bronze tablet foretells that the Greeks will destroy the Persian empire.
Plutarch, Table Talk (Quaestiones convivales) 9.13.1–3Book 9, Question 13: Paris' challenge and the terms of the duelPlutarch asks the company to settle whether the duel between Paris and Menelaus was to be to the death or only until one was overcome. Sospis argues that the challenger's terms, to overcome, were binding, and Glaucias answers that the later oath dictated by Agamemnon, which required killing, was the contract.
Plutarch, Life of Alcibiades 23.1–24.5Alcibiades at Sparta: Gylippus, Deceleia, Timaea and the revolt of IoniaAlcibiades flees to Argos and then to Sparta, where he urges the Spartans to send Gylippus to Syracuse, to stir up war against Athens and to fortify Deceleia. He adopts the Spartan way of life, and Plutarch likens his power of adapting himself to others to that of a chameleon. He corrupts Timaea, wife of King Agis, and she bears a son, Leotychides, whom Agis refuses to acknowledge. Alcibiades brings almost all Ionia to revolt, but when the Spartans order his death he takes refuge with Tissaphernes.
Plutarch, Consolation to Apollonius 6–9Reason as the remedy; Homer, the comic poets and Socrates on common sorrowsThe writer says that reason is the best defence against grief, since all things decay and fortune changes, and he cites Pindar, Euripides and Demetrius of Phalerum. He quotes Homer's Achilles consoling Priam, and the comic poets on the uselessness of tears. He gives the saying of Socrates that if all misfortunes were put in a common heap, most people would take back their own, and the example of Antimachus, who eased his grief for his wife Lyde by an elegy listing the sorrows of great men.
Plutarch, Consolation to Apollonius 23–28Troilus and Priam; Crantor; Silenus' answer to Midas; the evils outweigh the goodsThe writer says that an untimely death may be a consolation, for Troilus wept less than Priam and his young death spared him the sight of the ruin of Troy. He quotes Crantor that innocence is the greatest comfort, and adds that the true sign of love for the dead is honouring them in memory and not sorrowing. He gives Silenus' answer to Midas, from Aristotle's Eudemus, that it is best not to be born at all, and says that the evils of life far exceed its goods.
Plutarch, Table Talk (Quaestiones convivales) 9.4.1–9.12.1Book 9, Questions 4 and 5: the hand of Aphrodite; the souls Odysseus saw; lost questionsMaximus the rhetorician answers Zopyrion's challenge with the question of which hand of Aphrodite Diomedes wounded, and concludes from Homer's words that it was the right. Sospis teases Hylas with the soul of Ajax, and Lamprias explains Plato's myth of Er, while Marcus counts the souls in Homer's Nekyia to show that Ajax was the twentieth. Several questions are lost, shown as [...].

Ptolemy Hephaestion (5)

Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History 6.1–25Book 6: Achilles, his ankle and his namesakesThe sixth book is the book of Achilles: his return from the dead, the ankle-bone fitted to him by Chiron, the gifts at his parents' wedding and the many other men called Achilles. Other items concern Aesop's resurrection, the judgement of the apple and the invention of the skindapsos.
Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History 0.1–1.19Photius' verdict; Book 1: deaths and attendantsPhotius opens with his judgment of Ptolemy's work: useful and full of learning, but stuffed with marvels and written by a vain compiler. Book 1 lists corrections of earlier accounts of the deaths of Sophocles, Heracles, Achilles and Laïs, then gathers curiosities about Odysseus' names, Achilles among the maidens and the attendants who "remember" for heroes.
Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History 7.1–29Book 7: the Leucadian rockBook 7 begins with Zeus' laughter and the names of Achilles, then devotes most of its length to the Leucadian rock, from which unhappy lovers leapt to be cured of desire. Its list of those who jumped ends with a stone that Helen used as a seal.
Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History 4.1–26Book 4: Helen and the women called HelenThe fourth book is dominated by Helen: her lot-casting game, her children, the places and plants named after her, and the many other women of that name. It closes with the plant moly, Dionysus and Chiron, and the story of Odysseus' death as a horse.
Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History 5.1–43Book 5: Jason, Cretan liars and the names of the lettersBook 5 mixes myth and anecdote: who really fought Amycus, the plant psalakantha, why the Cretans are called liars, Candaules' wife, and the books that famous men were buried with. It ends with a catalogue of men and women who were nicknamed after the letters of the alphabet.

Strabo (14)

Strabo, Geography 9.5.5–9Phthia and Hellas: the land of AchillesStrabo examines Homer for the territory of Achilles, with the Myrmidons, Hellenes and Achaeans and the Dolopian forces of Phoenix. He debates whether Pelasgic Argos, Phthia and Hellas are cities or regions, citing the tomb of Hellen, son of Deucalion and Pyrrha, at Melitaea. He also discusses Protesilaus and Philoctetes, Halus founded by Athamas, and the Spercheius, to which Achilles vowed his hair.
Strabo, Geography 7.3.14–19The Danube mouths, Dniester and Dnieper coastStrabo follows the northern Black Sea coast from the desert of the Getae, where Darius and Lysimachus were in danger, to the island of Peuce and the seven mouths of the Danube. He mentions the Tower of Neoptolemus, the island of Leuce sacred to Achilles, Olbia and the Course of Achilles. He describes the Bastarnae, Roxolani and other nomads, their wagon tents, and the severe cold of the region.
Strabo, Geography 9.5.10–14Phthiotic towns, the Dolopes and the Malian coastStrabo lists the Phthiotic towns subject to Achilles, such as Lamia, Pharsalus, Echinus and Thebae Phthiotides, and the Oetaean district with Dryopis. He places Peleus's Dolopes near Pindus and the neighbouring tribes absorbed into Thessaly and Macedonia. He then follows the coast from Thermopylae to Antron, with Protesilaus's lands, the grove of Demeter (Ceres) at Pyrasus and the islands Pyrrha and Deucalion.
Strabo, Geography 8.4.1–6Messenia: Pylus and the seven cities of AgamemnonStrabo describes Messenia, once under Menelaus, and its coast from the Messenian Pylus and Coryphasium to Methone and the gulf. He lists the seven cities Agamemnon offered Achilles, and traces how Nestor came to be called Gerenian. He notes the temple of Asclepius (Aesculapius) at Gerenia, Pelops's colonists from Boeotia, and the Pamisus river.
Strabo, Geography 13.1.7–9Priam's kingdom and Homer's Trojan dynastiesStrabo reads Homer's lines to show that the whole coast was Trojan, split into dynasties such as Mynes at Lyrnessus, Eetion at Thebe, the Leleges under Altes, and Asius near Abydos. He recalls Achilles sacking these places, the captives Briseïs and Chryseïs, and Andromache's birth at Thebe. He then lists the later peoples, Phrygians, Thracians, Treres, Lydians and Mysians, who occupied the land.
Strabo, Geography 1.2.37–40The Argonauts and the voyage of JasonStrabo defends Callimachus against Apollodorus and rejects Demetrius of Skepsis, who denied that Homer knew of Jason's voyage. He points to Jason's son Euneos in Lemnos, Pelias and Alcestis as proof, and to traces of Jason and Phrixus around Colchis, Armenia, Crete, Italy and the Adriatic. He concludes that Homer follows history for Aeetes and Argo and adds fiction by placing the Argonauts on the ocean.
Strabo, Geography 9.5.15–16Iolcus, Pagasae and the Argo: Magnesia and ScyrusStrabo describes Pherae, Iolcus, from which Pelias sent Jason and the ship Argo, Pagasae and Aphetae, with rival explanations of the names, and Demetrias founded by Demetrius. He covers Philoctetes's cities and the Magnesian islands, above all Scyrus, famed for the friendship of Lycomedes and Achilles and the upbringing of Neoptolemus, and for its marble.
Strabo, Geography 13.1.28–32The Troad coast: Rhoeteium, Sigeium and the Achaean campStrabo follows the shore from Abydos to Dardanus, noting the Cynos-sema across the strait, said to be the sepulchre of Hecuba, and the grove of Hector at Ophrynium. He goes on to Rhoeteium, with the monument of Ajax, and to Sigeium and the mouths of the Scamander. The monuments of Achilles, Patroclus and Anthlochus are honoured by the Ilienses, who refuse to worship Heracles (Hercules) because he ravaged their country. Strabo notes how the rivers have silted up the shore.
Strabo, Geography 13.1.60–65Thebe, Chrysa and the Cilicians of the TroadStrabo places the Cilicians' two dynasties, Eetion at Thebe and Mynes at Lyrnessus, in the plain of Thebe, and sorts out Homer's Chryseis, Chryses and the temple of Apollo at Chrysa and Cilla. He argues that the Chrysa near Hamaxitus does not fit Homer's account of Odysseus (Ulysses) sailing there with Chryseis. The mice of Apollo Smintheus are compared with Heracles (Hercules) Cornopion and other cults named for pests, and the tomb of Cillus, charioteer of Pelops, is mentioned.
Strabo, Geography 13.3.1–2Homer's Catalogue: the Leleges, Cilicians and PelasgiStrabo asks why Homer's Catalogue leaves out the Leleges and Cilicians, and answers that they lost their leaders and cities, since Achilles killed Eetion, his sons, and Mynes. He then reasons from Homer's lines about the Pelasgi under Hippothous and Pylaeus and the Ceteii under Eurypylus, and decides that the Pelasgian Larisa is probably the one near Cyme. He weighs the three places named Larisa against Homer's words.
Strabo, Geography 7.7.8–9The Epirote and Illyrian tribes, Orestes and CadmusStrabo lists the Epirote tribes and the Illyrian peoples mixed with them, noting that Orestes is said to have held Orestias after killing his mother. He says the Enchelii were ruled by descendants of Cadmus and Harmonia, and tells of the princes of the Lyncestae and Molotti, including Pyrrhus Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. He ends with the Egnatian Way, rivers such as the Achelous and Inachus, and the ruin of these regions.
Strabo, Geography 13.1.52–55Scepsis: Aeneas and Aristotle's libraryStrabo describes Scepsis, ruled by descendants of Hector and Aeneas, and sets out the stories of Aeneas' fate, from Antenor's escape to Thrace to Aeneas' voyage, with Homer's lines that he and his descendants would rule the Trojans. He then tells how the books of Aristotle and Theophrastus passed to Neleus of Scepsis, were hidden underground, and were sold to Apellicon and later seized by Sylla for Rome. Demetrius the grammarian and Metrodorus close the section.
Strabo, Geography 13.1.56–59Assus, Andeira and the LelegesStrabo describes Andeira, where a stone yields iron and mock silver, and Assus, home of Cleanthes and for a time of Aristotle under the tyrant Hermeas. He then discusses the Leleges, whom Homer keeps distinct from the Carians. After Achilles plundered their cities they moved to Caria, and the lost Pedasus and the Pedasa of Halicarnassus, with the story of the bearded priestess of Athena (Minerva), are compared.
Strabo, Geography 14.5.11–15Tarsus and its philosophersStrabo explains where the true isthmus of the peninsula lies, then describes Tarsus on the Cydnus, said to have been founded by Argives who followed Triptolemus in his search for Io. He praises its devotion to learning, which exceeds that of Athens and Alexandreia, and lists its Stoics and grammarians. A long account of Athenodorus and the corrupt Boëthus shows how Athenodorus reformed the city.

Virgil (7)

Virgil, Aeneid 1.418–493Carthage and the pictures of the Trojan WarAeneas and Achates climb a hill and watch the Tyrians busily building walls, a harbor, and a theatre in Carthage. Hidden by the cloud, Aeneas walks into the city and reaches a temple of Hera (Juno) built by Dido. On its walls he sees pictures of the Trojan War, including Priam, Achilles dragging Hector's body, and the Trojan women at the shrine of Athena (Minerva). Aeneas weeps and takes comfort that his people's suffering is known even here.
Virgil, Aeneid 2.453–558The death of PriamAeneas slips into Priam's palace by a back way and helps the Trojans on the roof topple a tower onto the Greeks. Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) breaks down the doors and the Greeks storm in, and Priam arms himself, but Hecuba pulls him to an altar. Neoptolemus kills Priam's son Polites before his father's eyes. Priam rebukes him and throws a feeble spear, and Neoptolemus drags the king through his son's blood and kills him.
Virgil, Aeneid 3.278–355Actium and Buthrotum: AndromacheThe Trojans make offerings and hold games at Actium, and Aeneas hangs a bronze shield on the temple door. At Buthrotum they hear that Helenus, Priam's son, now rules there with Andromache as his wife, and Aeneas finds her pouring offerings at an empty tomb of Hector. She faints at the sight of him, then tells him how Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) took her as a slave, how Orestes killed him, and how Helenus gained part of the realm. Helenus then welcomes the Trojans to a feast.
Virgil, Aeneid 5.779–871Poseidon's price: the death of PalinurusAphrodite (Venus) begs Poseidon (Neptune) to let the Trojans cross his sea safely to the Tiber and accuses Hera (Juno) of endless hatred. Poseidon agrees, recalls that he once saved Aeneas from Achilles, says only one life will be lost, and calms the waves. At night Sleep, disguised as Phorbas, tempts the helmsman Palinurus to rest, and when he refuses, puts him to sleep and throws him into the sea. Aeneas takes the helm and mourns him.
Virgil, Aeneid 6.1–155Cumae and the SibylThe Trojans land at Cumae, and Aeneas climbs to the temple of Apollo and the cave of the Sibyl. After he studies the carvings on the temple doors, the possessed Sibyl prophesies war in Latium and a hostile marriage dispute. Aeneas asks to enter the Underworld to see Anchises, and she replies that the descent is easy but the return is hard. She tells him to find a golden bough and bury a dead comrade.
Virgil, Aeneid 11.336–444Drances and TurnusDrances attacks Turnus before the council and urges Latinus to give Lavinia to Aeneas and make peace. Turnus answers him with scorn, calling him a man of words who will not fight. He says he still has men and allies, including Camilla's cavalry, and offers to face Aeneas alone if that is what the Latins want.
Virgil, Eclogues 4.1–63Eclogue 4: the return of the golden ageThe poet says the last age sung by the Sibyl of Cumae has ended and a new order begins, with justice, the reign of Kronos (Saturn) and a new race from heaven. It begins at the birth of a boy in the consulship of Pollio, for whom the earth pours out flowers, goats come home with milk and serpents die. As he grows, corn ripens, though a new Argo and a new Achilles still appear. The poet hopes to live to sing of him.

Achilles in the ancient sources

Hesiod (1)

Homer (86)

Apollodorus (4)

Pindar (7)

Aeschylus (1)

Sophocles (6)

Euripides (35)

Apollonius Rhodius (1)

Aristophanes (1)

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Ovid (13)

Pausanias (16)

Quintus Smyrnaeus (43)

Nonnus of Panopolis (2)

Antoninus Liberalis (1)

Bacchylides (1)

Conon (1)

Epic Cycle (3)

Hyginus (3)

Lucian of Samosata (5)

Parthenius of Nicaea (2)

Plato (7)

Plutarch (10)

Ptolemy Hephaestion (5)

Strabo (14)

Virgil (7)