Achilles
Overview
Greatest Greek warrior of the Trojan War and central hero of the Iliad.
Generation
Trojan War
Symbols
Spear, shield, armour
Beyond Antiquity
Modern Legacy
Achilles still appears in the modern world through language, science, medicine, astronomy or culture.
Achilles Heel
Today: A small but potentially decisive weakness.
The expression comes from Achilles, the great warrior of the Trojan War. Later tradition made his heel the vulnerable part of an otherwise almost invulnerable body.
Explore Achilles in modern language →Achilles Tendon
Today: The strong tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel.
Its anatomical name refers to Achilles and the legendary vulnerability associated with his heel.
Explore Achilles in medicine →Achilles
Today: Asteroid 588 Achilles.
Named after Achilles, the foremost Greek warrior of the Trojan War.
Explore Achilles in astronomy →Related Myths
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Peleus and Thetis
Son of Peleus and Thetis -
Telephus and the Greeks in Mysia
Wounds Telephus -
The Sacrifice of Iphigenia
Used as the supposed bridegroom in a major version -
The Death of Troilus
Greek warrior who kills Troilus -
The Trojan War
Foremost Greek warrior -
The Death of Patroclus
Patroclus' companion -
Hector and Achilles
Kills Hector -
Achilles and Penthesilea
Kills Penthesilea -
Memnon and Achilles
Greek hero who defeats Memnon -
Achilles and Scamander
Greek hero attacked by the river after slaughtering Trojans in its waters -
The Death of Achilles
Greek hero whose death concludes his heroic career -
Neoptolemus Comes to Troy
Father of Neoptolemus -
The Madness and Death of Ajax
Dead hero whose armour becomes the cause of the dispute -
The Fall of Troy
Greek hero whose death precedes the final fall of Troy -
The Sacrifice of Polyxena
Dead hero at whose tomb Polyxena is sacrificed