Achilles, also known as Achilleus, was a mythological hero during the Trojan War and is considered the greatest and most famous of the Greek warriors. Achilles was born to Nereid Thetis and the King of Phthia, Peleus. Achilles received education from a centaur named Chiron and was raised with his childhood companion Patroclus. In Homer’s “The Illiad,” Achilles commands the mythical tribe of the Myrmidons.
Achilles’ father was an Argonaut and his mother was a sea nymph. Thetis was a daughter of the Old Man of the Sea. According to legends, Zeus and Poseidon were rivals for Thetis’ hand in marriage, but Prometheus had warned them that Thetis would bear a son greater than his father. The two gods then seized their pursuit.
Achilles is most known for slaying the Trojan prince Hector during the Trojan War. Although not stated clearly in the “Iliad,” it is believed that Achilles died at the hands of Prince Paris, brother of Hector. The Trojan prince had shot Achilles with an arrow. In later texts such as the unfinished epic “Achilleid,” written in the 1st century AD, Achilles was believed to be invulnerable in all parts of his body except for one heel. According to the myth of his birth, his mother had dipped the infant Achilles into the river Styx. She held him by his heel, leaving it untouched by the waters.
Though accounts of Achilles’ life vary, some sources have indicated Achilles’ inclination to spend much of his time with Patroclus. Historians and experts have long debated Achilles’ sexuality. Some have maintained Patroclus and Achilles were lovers, but others stand by their beliefs that the pair were united by brotherly love. Was Achilles gay? Let’s read further and find out the truth behind the Greek hero’s sexuality.
VOTE: What was Achilles’s Sexuality?
Achilles’ Relationships
Homer’s “Iliad” did not give a lot of focus to Achilles’ personal relationships. In the poem, Achilles is said to have had two significant relationships. Given that the texts are close to 3,000 years old, researchers have struggled to separate authentic information from hearsay. Nevertheless, two of Achilles’ most famous relations are as follows:
Achilles and Breseis
Breseis, also known as Hippodameia, was a minor yet significant character in the “Iliad.” She served as a symbol for Achilles and Agamemnon’s feud. She was married to Mynes, son of the King of Lyrnessus. She was given to Achilles after Acheans attacked and sacked her city. Achilles was later forced to give Briseis to Agamemnon.
There are conflicting accounts of Briseis’ appearance as Homer gave her a short description in the “Iliad,” but 2,000 years later, she was said to be:
Tall and white, her hair was black and curly; she had beautiful breasts and cheeks and nose; she was, also, well-behaved; her smile was bright, her eyebrows big…”
John Tzatzes, circa 1300 A.D.
Another account describes the famed Briseis as:
…beautiful. She was small and blond, with soft yellow hair. Her eyebrows were joined above her lovely eyes. Her body was well-proportioned. She was charming, friendly, modest, ingenuous, and pious.”
Dares the Phrygian, between 1st century BC and 5th century A.D.
In the “Iliad,” there are several contradicting statements about Achilles and Briseis’ relationship. She had originally been Achilles’ slave, but he was forced to give her up to Agamemnon. This sparked a rift between the two. Agamemnon later returned Briseis, swearing he hadn’t touched her.
Achilles refused to fight for Agamemnon as he had been insulted. Achilles referred to Briseis as his wife, saying he loved her as any man would love his wife. This later contradicts with Briseis’ desire to become Achilles’ legal wife. Later in the “Iliad,” Achilles expresses his anger towards Briseis, wishing her death as she had come in between him and Agamemnon.
Briseis remained with Achilles until his death. According to Robert Bell, she was later given to one of Achilles’ comrades after the fall of Troy.
Achilles and Patroclus
Patroclus was a close childhood companion for Achilles. The pair were raised together and became as close as brothers, according to at least a few accounts. Other accounts place the pair as lovers. Patroclus was the son of Menoetius, but her mother is still a point of debate. He was given to Achilles’ father and became Achilles’ squire. He became a role model for the Greek hero, believed to be kinder and wiser. He had gray eyes, was modest, and was richly endowed.
Achilles had refused to enter battle as a protest to Agamemnon’s taking of Briseis. The Greeks were taking on significant losses. Patroclus convinced Achilles to let him lead the Greeks into battle. Achilles agreed, giving his armor to Patroclus. Patroclus planned to impersonate Achilles, leading the Greeks, and striking fear into the Trojans. Unfortunately, Patroclus met his end at the hands of Prince Hector. Patroclus’ death enraged Achilles. He entered the battle soon after and killed Hector.
Achilles was described to be tender and caring towards Patroclus but arrogant and obnoxious to others. The nature of their relationship, whether of deep friendship or homosexuality, is still a subject of debate well into modern times. Homer never explicitly referred to them as lovers, but the pair were referred to as lovers in later texts. Contemporary critics, especially in the field of queer studies, have celebrated Achilles’ homosexuality. Classists have disagreed with this, citing the absence of evidence to confirm or revoke the assumption.
Homer’s Iliad
The “Iliad” is an oral epic about the fall of the City of Troy. The war between King Agamemnon of the Greeks and King Priam of Troy was believed to not only be a war between men but also a war between the gods. The gods were believed to also play a part in the epic with some gods siding with Priam, while others sided with Agamemnon. One example of this is Hera and Aphrodite’s jealousy of Helen’s beauty.
Was Achilles Gay?
No, Achilles was not gay. Homer’s “Iliad” did not discuss the Greek hero’s sexuality. Achilles and his childhood companion, Patroclus, were rumored to be lovers, but historians have yet to confirm this. Achilles and Patroclus reportedly spent lots of time together and were affectionate towards one another. Achilles was also said to have been married to Briseis at one point, but this too, is up for debate.
Featured Image: “Achilles”, by Jona Lendering, licensed under PDM 1.0 DEED