Achilles: The Greatest Hero In Homer's Iliad

Ancient warriors of Greece were considered heroes when they followed the heroic code. They achieved this goal by acquiring a kleos also known as establishing fame, glory and a positive reputation. This was not an easy task. Building and maintaining kleos meant that a warrior had to not only be brave and strong, but he also had to be a “Speaker of words and a doer of deeds.” This type of solider was obliged to protect his friends and harm his enemies, respect the Gods and his elders and most of all, value his honor greater than his life. Dying in battle and being referred to after death was the ultimate act of honor for this type of hero. The Greek tragedy Iliad, attributed to Homer, depicts Achilles, a commander of the Athenian army, as one

Although during the course of events, the story exposes that Achilles’ actions may have been perceived as cowardly, ultimately his decisions shape the rest of the story. He initiates the Achaean’s final victory at Troy, his acts become acts of valor and he emerges as Athen’s greatest hero.

The poem in Book One lauds Achilles as the finest warrior of the Athenian army. Nonetheless, when his commanding general, Agamemnon refuses to return the captive Chryseis to her father the priest of Apollo, a plague ensues. Achilles is insubordinate (disrespecting his commander) when he demands that the captive be returned to save the troops. Agamemnon agrees to this demand on the condition that Achilles relinquishes one of his own personal war prizes, Briseis. Obeying Agamemnon

Book Sixteen tells of a developing Achilles. Although he is still seen as reneging on his military honor code, the irresponsibility on his part is far more surreptitious. Achilles finally agrees to take part in the war. He allows his best friend Patroclus to join the battle and lends him his personal armor. The Trojans were overpowering the Achaeans and Achilles orders his unit, the Myrmidon soldiers, to go fight for Agamemnon. At first glance, Achilles’ gift to Patroclus seems like an honorable gesture, he was supporting a war effort that needed to be fought for the Achaean honor. After considering his motives though, it seems that Achilles’ decision was actually a way of skirting the battle altogether. By giving away his armor, Achilles could not protect himself during the conflict which forced him to avoid the majority of the fighting. Furthermore, by commanding his troops to join the war assured himself that the war would be won thus guaranteeing everyone a safe boat ride back to Athens. While, this response was seemingly self-centered, it arguably had a more positive impact on Achilles’ kleos than the previous sagas. Allowing his soldiers to join the battle while he sat on the sidelines would build his kleos without any threat to himself, after all he was the great general of the soldiers who won the war for