Achilles

A-kil-leez

(3 syl.).

King of the Myrmidons (in Thessaly), the hero of Homer's epic poem called the Iliad. He is represented as brave and relentless. The poem begins with a quarrel between him and Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the allied Greeks: in consequence of which Achilles refused to go to battle. The Trojans prevail, and Achilles sends forth his friend Patroclos to oppose them. Patroclos fell; and Achilles, in anger, rushing into the battle killed Hector, the commander of the Trojans. He himself, according to later poems, fell in battle a few days afterwards, before Troy was taken.

Achilles Army:

The Myrmidons followed him to Troy.

Death of:

It was Paris who wounded Achilles in the heel with an arrow (a post-Homeric story).

Father:

Peleus (2 syl.), King of Thessaly.

Friend:

Patroclos.

Horses:

Balios (= swift-footed) and Xanthos (= chestnut-coloured), endowed with human speech.

Mistress in Troy:

Hippodamia, surnamed Briseis (2 syl.).

Mother:

Thetis, a sea goddess.

Son:

Pyrrhos, surnamed Neoptolemos (= the new warrior).

Tomb:

In Sigoeum, over which no bird ever flies. —Pliny. x. 29.

Tutors:

First, Phoenix, who taught him the elements; then Chiron the centaur.

Wife:

Deidamia. (5 syl.) De-i-da-my'-ah.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894