Patroclus
In the epic tapestry of the Trojan War, amidst gods and mortals, stands Patroclus — a name often overshadowed by his famous companion, Achilles. Yet, his story is pivotal, a tragic arc that ignites the fiercest wrath known to ancient Greece and irrevocably alters the course of war. Journey with us to uncover the tale of a loyal hero whose sacrifice became legendary. Patroclus, exiled in his youth, became the compassionate and steadying influence on the formidable hero Achilles. His bold decision to don Achilles' armor and lead the Myrmidons turned the tide of battle, though it ultimately led to his untimely death at Hector's hands. Patroclus's death was the profound catalyst that ended Achilles's withdrawal from battle, unleashing his legendary rage and ensuring Greek victory.
AI Summary
In the epic tapestry of the Trojan War, amidst gods and mortals, stands Patroclus — a name often overshadowed by his famous companion, Achilles. Yet, his story is pivotal, a tragic arc that ignites the fiercest wrath known to ancient Greece and irrevocably alters the course of war. Journey with us to uncover the tale of a loyal hero whose sacrifice became legendary.
- Patroclus, exiled in his youth, became the compassionate and steadying influence on the formidable hero Achilles.
- His bold decision to don Achilles' armor and lead the Myrmidons turned the tide of battle, though it ultimately led to his untimely death at Hector's hands.
- Patroclus's death was the profound catalyst that ended Achilles's withdrawal from battle, unleashing his legendary rage and ensuring Greek victory.
The Glory of the Father
Patroclus, whose ancient Greek name, Pátroklos, beautifully translates to 'glory of the father,' is a central figure in Homer's monumental epic, the Iliad. Though he wasn't always at the forefront of the action, his presence was deeply felt, especially by the greatest warrior of them all.
An Unfortunate Youth
Born in the city of Opus, Patroclus's childhood took a dramatic turn. In a tragic accident, while still a boy, he inadvertently killed a playmate, Clysonymus, during a game of dice. This grave act led to his exile from his homeland, a common fate in ancient times for such transgressions.
His father, Menoetius, sent him to live with King Peleus in Phthia. There, Patroclus found a new home and, more importantly, a lifelong bond. He was raised alongside Peleus's son, a boy named Achilles, who would become his closest friend and companion.
The Steadfast Companion
Growing up, Patroclus often served as a calming, wise influence on the impulsive Achilles. He was seen as a male role model to the younger hero, often providing counsel and a kind perspective that balanced Achilles's fiery nature. Their bond deepened through shared experiences, becoming an unbreakable friendship.
In fact, according to some ancient accounts, Patroclus even had a divine mentor! The sea god Poseidon himself was said to have taught him the art of riding horses, suggesting a lineage of skill and favor beyond mere mortals.
A War Turns Sour
Years later, the two found themselves at the heart of the Trojan War, fighting for the Achaeans. But when Agamemnon, the Greek commander, insulted Achilles by seizing his war prize, Briseis, Achilles famously withdrew from battle, taking his formidable Myrmidons with him.
Without Achilles and his elite warriors, the tide of war turned drastically against the Greeks. The Trojans, led by the mighty Hector, pushed the Achaeans back to their ships, threatening to burn their entire fleet. Despair began to settle among the Greek forces.
A Bold Disguise
Witnessing the plight of his comrades, Patroclus could no longer stand by. He approached Achilles, pleading with him to return to battle or, at the very least, allow Patroclus to lead the Myrmidons in his place. He had a daring plan: to wear Achilles's armor.
Achilles, still furious but moved by his friend's compassion, agreed. He lent Patroclus his distinctive armor, hoping the sight of it would strike fear into the Trojans and rally the Greeks. His one crucial instruction: drive the Trojans from the ships, but do not pursue them to Troy's walls.
The Charge of Patroclus
Clad in Achilles's armor, Patroclus burst onto the battlefield. His presence alone galvanized the Achaeans and terrified the Trojans, who believed Achilles himself had returned. Patroclus fought with incredible valor, pushing the Trojans back and saving the Greek ships.
Swept up in the heat of victory, Patroclus disregarded Achilles's warning. He pursued the retreating Trojans all the way to the very gates of Troy, slaying many heroes, including Sarpedon, a son of Zeus, and even briefly scaling the city walls.
A Hero's Fall
But his heroic charge was doomed. The god Apollo intervened, striking Patroclus and removing his wits and armor. Weakened, he was first wounded by Euphorbus, then ultimately killed by the mighty Trojan prince, Hector, who plunged a spear into his stomach.
Hector stripped Patroclus of Achilles's armor as a prize, leaving his body on the battlefield. A fierce struggle ensued over his corpse, with Greek heroes like Menelaus and Ajax fighting valiantly to protect it from further desecration. Eventually, they succeeded in retrieving it.
Achilles's Unspeakable Grief
When the news of Patroclus's death reached Achilles, his grief was beyond measure — a profound sorrow that transcended all previous anger and withdrawal. It was a loss that shook him to his core, unleashing a rage so terrible it became the defining force of the Iliad.
Achilles refused to bury Patroclus until he had avenged his death. He slew Hector in a brutal duel, dragging his body around Troy's walls. Only after this vengeance, and after Patroclus's ghost appeared to him, did Achilles allow his friend to be cremated on a grand funeral pyre.
In a poignant display of mourning, Patroclus's sorrowful companions cut their hair and laid it upon his pyre, a powerful symbol of grief and separation. Later, Achilles's own ashes would be buried alongside those of Patroclus in a golden urn by the Hellespont, forever united in death as they were in life.
The Nature of Their Bond
The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus has been a subject of fascination and debate for centuries. While Homer's Iliad does not explicitly describe a sexual relationship, it paints a picture of an intensely close and loving bond, far surpassing typical friendship.
Later Greek authors, like the playwright Aeschylus and the philosopher Plato, interpreted their relationship as a romantic one, often seeing it as a model of male love. Plato's 'Symposium,' for instance, discusses Achilles and Patroclus as embodying the ideal 'erastes' (lover) and 'eromenos' (beloved) dynamic, albeit with differing views on who held which role.
However, not all ancient voices agreed. Xenophon, another Greek writer, argued against labeling their bond as romantic, suggesting it was more akin to a profound, platonic camaraderie. This ongoing discussion highlights the complexity and depth inherent in their portrayal.
Regardless of its precise nature, their bond was recognized as extraordinary. It is said to have inspired figures like Alexander the Great in his own legendary companionship with Hephaestion, seeking to emulate the depth of connection between the two heroes.
Literary scholars continue to explore Patroclus's crucial role. He is often seen as Achilles's compassionate counterpart, embodying the hero's humanity and acting as the necessary catalyst for Achilles's ultimate, devastating wrath — a wrath that defines the very essence of the Iliad itself.
Even centuries later, Patroclus's story continued to resonate. William Shakespeare featured him in his play 'Troilus and Cressida,' where their relationship is humorously, and somewhat crudely, depicted as one of indolent lovers, highlighting the enduring, albeit evolving, fascination with their bond.
Article
Patroclus
Patroclus on an antique fresco from the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, 1st century AD (Naples National Archaeological Museum)
Patroclus (generally pronounced ; Ancient Greek: Πάτροκλος, romanized: Pátroklos, lit. 'glory of the father') was a Greek hero of the Trojan War and close companion of the hero Achilles in Greek mythology. Patroclus is an important character in Homer's Iliad. Although Homer does not explicitly describe Patroclus and Achilles as lovers, later ancient authors often interpreted their relationship in this manner.
Born in Opus, Patroclus was the son of the Argonaut Menoetius. When he was a child, he was exiled from his hometown and was adopted by Peleus, king of Phthia. There, he was raised alongside Peleus's son, Achilles. When the tide of the Trojan War turned against the Achaeans, Patroclus, disguised as Achilles and defying his orders to retreat in time, led the Myrmidons in battle against the Trojans and was eventually killed by the Trojan prince, Hector. Enraged by Patroclus's death, Achilles ended his refusal to fight, resulting in significant Greek victories.
Name
Patroclus
The Latinized name Patroclus derives from the Ancient Greek Pátroklos (Πάτροκλος), meaning "glory of his father," from πατήρ (patḗr, "father" stem pátr-) and κλέος (kléos, "glory"). A variation of the name with the same components in different order is Kleópatros, while the feminine form of the name is Cleopatra.
There are at least three pronunciations of the name 'Patroclus' in English. Because the penultimate syllable is light in Latin prose (pă′.trŏ.clŭs), the antepenult was stressed in Latin and would normally be stressed in English as well, for (analogous to 'Sophocles'). However, this pronunciation is seldom encountered: for metrical convenience, Alexander Pope had made the 'o' long, and thus stressed, in his translation of Homer, following a convention of Greek and Latin verse, and that pronunciation – of Latin pa.trō′.clus – has stuck, for English . Moreover, because in prose, a penultimate Greco-Latin short o (omicron) would only be stressed in a closed syllable, the penult has sometimes been misanalysed as being closed (pă.trŏc′.lŭs), which would change the English o to a short vowel: .
Description and family
Patroclus
In the account of Dares the Phrygian, Patroclus was illustrated as "... handsome and powerfully built. His eyes were gray. He was modest, dependable, wise, a man richly endowed."
Patroclus was the son of Menoetius (hence called Menoetiades Μενοιτιάδης, meaning "son of Menoetius") by either Philomela or Polymele, Sthenele, or Periopis. His only sibling was Myrto, mother of Eucleia by Heracles. Homer also references Menoetius as the individual who gave Patroclus to Peleus. Menoetius was the son of Actor, king of Opus in Locris, by Aegina, daughter of Asopus.
Mythology
Early days
A fresco in Pompeii depicting Achilles seated between Briseis and Patroclus in the marquee
During his childhood, Patroclus had accidentally killed his playmate Clysonymus over a game of dice. As a result, he was exiled from his home, Opus, with Menoetius sending him to Peleus, king of Phthia and father of Achilles. Peleus named Patroclus Achilles's "squire", as they both grew up together and became close friends. Patroclus acted as a male role model for Achilles, being both kinder than him as well as wiser regarding counsel. Patroclus's early life, including his flight to the house of Peleus, is narrated later in the Iliad, when his ghost appears to Achilles reminding him about his past and giving him advice about his burial.
According to Photius, Ptolemy Hephaestion (probably referring to Ptolemy Chennus) wrote that Patroclus was also loved by the sea god Poseidon, who taught him the art of riding horses.
Local tradition in Laconia held that Achilles killed Las when he came to their land to seek the hand of Helen, daughter of Tyndareus. However, the geographer Pausanias disagrees, stating that it was actually Patroclus who killed Las, arguing that Patroclus, not Achilles, was one of Helen's suitors.
Trojan War
A cup depicting Achilles bandaging Patroclus's arm, by the Sosias Painter.
According to the Iliad, when the tide of the Trojan War had turned against the Greeks and the Trojans were threatening their ships, Patroclus convinced Achilles to let him lead the Myrmidons into combat. Achilles consented, giving Patroclus the armor Achilles had received from his father in order for Patroclus to impersonate Achilles. Achilles then told Patroclus to return after beating the Trojans back from their ships.
Patroclus defied Achilles's order and pursued the Trojans back to the gates of Troy. Patroclus killed many Trojans and Trojan allies, including a son of Zeus, Sarpedon. While fighting, Patroclus's wits were removed by Apollo, after which the spear of Euphorbos hit Patroclus. Hector then kills Patroclus by stabbing him in the stomach with a spear.
Menelaus and Meriones lift the body of Patroclus while Odysseus and others look on (Etruscan relief, 2nd century BC)
Achilles retrieved his body, which had been stripped of armor by Hector and protected on the battlefield by Menelaus and Ajax. Achilles did not allow the burial of Patroclus's body until the ghost of Patroclus appeared and demanded his burial in order to pass into Hades. Patroclus was then cremated on a funeral pyre, which was covered in the hair of his sorrowful companions. As the cutting of hair was a sign of grief while also acting as a sign of the separation of the living and the dead, this points to how well-liked Patroclus had been. The ashes of Achilles were said to have been buried in a golden urn along with those of Patroclus by the Hellespont.
Relationship with Achilles
Patroclus
Although there is no explicit sexual relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in the Homeric tradition, a few later Greek authors wrote about what they saw as implied in the text regarding their relationship. Aeschylus and Phaedrus, for example, state there was a clear relationship between them. Aeschylus refers to Achilles as the erastes, while Phaedrus refers to Achilles as the eromenos of the relationship. Morales and Mariscal state, "There is a polemical tradition concerning the nature of the relationship between the two heroes."
The body of Patroclus borne by Menelaus, Roman sculpture, Florence, Italy
According to Ledbetter (1993), there is a train of thought that Patroclus could have been a representation of the compassionate side of Achilles, who was known for his rage, mentioned in the first line of Homer's Iliad. Ledbetter connects the way that Achilles and his mother, Thetis, communicate to the link between Achilles and Patroclus. Ledbetter does so by comparing how Thetis comforts the weeping Achilles in Book 1 of the Iliad to how Achilles comforts Patroclus as he weeps in Book 16. Achilles uses a simile containing a young girl tearfully looking at her mother to complete the comparison. Ledbetter believes this puts Patroclus into a subordinate role to that of Achilles. However, as Patroclus is explicitly stated to be the elder of the two characters, this is not evidence of their ages or social relation to each other.
James Hooker describes the literary reasons for Patroclus's character within the Iliad. He states that another character could have filled the role of confidant for Achilles and that it was only through Patroclus that we have a worthy reason for Achilles's wrath. Hooker claims that without the death of Patroclus, an event that weighed heavily upon him, Achilles's following act of compliance to fight would have disrupted the balance of the Iliad.
Hooker describes the necessity of Patroclus sharing a deep affection with Achilles within the Iliad. According to his theory, this affection allows an even more profound tragedy to occur. Hooker argues that the greater the love, the greater the loss. Hooker continues to negate Ledbetter's theory that Patroclus is in some way a surrogate for Achilles; rather, Hooker views Patroclus's character as a counterpart to that of Achilles. Hooker reminds us that it is Patroclus who pushes the Trojans back, which Hooker claims makes Patroclus a hero, as well as foreshadowing what Achilles is to do.
Achilles and Patroclus grew up together after Menoitios gave Patroclus to Achilles's father, Peleus. During this time, Peleus made Patroclus one of Achilles's "henchmen." While Homer's Iliad never explicitly stated that Achilles and Patroclus were lovers, this concept was propounded by some later authors.
The Funeral of Patroclus by Jacques-Louis David, 1778.
Aeschines asserts that there was no need to explicitly state the relationship as a romantic one, for such "is manifest to such of his hearers as are educated men." In later Greek writings, such as Plato's Symposium, the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles is discussed as a model of romantic love. However, Xenophon, in his Symposium, had Socrates argue that it was inaccurate to label their relationship as romantic. Nevertheless, their relationship is said to have inspired Alexander the Great in his own close relationship with his life-long companion Hephaestion.
In the Iliad, Achilles was younger than Patroclus. This reinforces Dowden's explanation of the relationship between an eromenos, a youth in transition, and an erastes, an older male who had recently made the same transition. Dowden also notes the common occurrence of such relationships as a form of initiation. However, Statius in the Achilleid states that the two were either within the same age group or acted as if they were.
Patroclus is a character in William Shakespeare's play Troilus and Cressida. In the play, Achilles, who has become lazy, is besotted with Patroclus, and the other characters complain that Achilles and Patroclus are too busy having sex to fight in the war.
<table><thead><tr><th>Achilles and Patroclus myths as told by story tellers</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bibliography of reconstruction: Homer Iliad, 9.308, 16.2, 11.780, 23.54 (700 BC); Pindar Olympian Odes, IX (476 BC); Aeschylus Myrmidons, F135-36 (495 BC); Euripides Iphigenia in Aulis, (405 BC); Plato Symposium, 179e (388-367 BC); Statius Achilleid, 161, 174, 182 (96 AD)</td></tr></tbody></table>