Ancient Greece: The Legacy of Achilles

The legend of Achilles is one of the greatest legends in the Greek mythology and one of its oldest. His fame survived through centuries and his legend is enhanced by thousands of details in the Iliad poem. Achilles’ best traits are glory and honor, he was so eager to follow these exploits with his inseparable friend Patroclus. He preferred, despite the multiple warnings of his mother Thetis, a short but glorious life. Thetis´ beauty, bravery, fortitude and valuable protection that she provided to Achilles would grant him the approval of Greek Goddesses, such as Hera and Athena, which greatly helped him to increase his fame.

He was actually more than just a hero; Achilles was considered in ancient times as a demi-god and revered in many parts of Greece. He dedicated his entire life to pursuing a glorious afterlife, seeking to be surrounded by his deities with whom he shared his life and pleasures in an eternal joy atmosphere, interspersed with feasting and fighting endlessly for the sake of honor and greatness.

Achilles decided consciously to leave his human life behind and engrave his name through his noble acts in the Greek world and the world in general. He wanted history to identify him as an "immortal God" rather than a coward who chose a long life over fighting to his last breath in a battle of death. By choosing a short life, Achilles has given history the reason to remember him for eternity and built his legend, because after all his choice complies with what he is and who he truly was; a Goddess and a king’s child. The courage he displayed, which his name is forever associated with, is what true heroism is about.