The Death of Patroclus
Patroclus enters battle wearing Achilles' armour and is killed by Hector, forcing Achilles to confront the consequences of his withdrawal from the war.
The Story
Achilles remained apart from the fighting while the Greeks suffered heavy losses.
Patroclus, his closest companion, could no longer watch the army collapse.
He begged Achilles for permission to enter the battle wearing Achilles' armour.
The sight of that armour, Patroclus hoped, would make the Trojans believe Achilles had returned.
Achilles agreed.
But he warned Patroclus not to pursue the Trojans too far.
Patroclus entered the battle and immediately changed its course.
The Trojans retreated.
Patroclus fought with enormous success and killed many enemies.
He even killed Sarpedon, a son of Zeus fighting for Troy.
But success carried him beyond Achilles' warning.
Patroclus pursued the Trojans toward the walls of the city.
There divine and human forces turned against him.
Apollo struck or disoriented him.
The Trojan Euphorbus wounded him.
Finally Hector delivered the fatal blow.
Hector stripped Achilles' armour from the body.
When news reached Achilles, his anger at Agamemnon suddenly became insignificant beside his grief.
Achilles blamed himself.
His refusal to fight had allowed the situation that led Patroclus to take his place.
He resolved to return to battle.
The death of Patroclus therefore transformed the direction of the Iliad.
Achilles had withdrawn because his honour was wounded.
He returned because someone he loved was dead.
Key Figures
Why It Matters
Patroclus' death is the emotional turning point of the Iliad. It transforms Achilles from an isolated, offended warrior into a figure driven by grief and revenge.
Traditions & Variations
The nature of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus was interpreted differently in antiquity. Some writers treated them as intimate friends and comrades, while others explicitly understood them as lovers.