Patroclus

Closest companion of Achilles, raised at the court of Peleus in Phthia after an accidental killing in his own youth. When Achilles withdraws from battle in the *Iliad* and Hector is on the verge of firing the Achaean ships, Patroclus pleads to lead the Myrmidons in Achilles's armour and so frighten the Trojans back from the wall. Initially he succeeds beyond expectation, pushing the line all the way to Troy's gates — but at the wall Apollo strikes the helmet from his head, Euphorbus wounds him from behind, and Hector finishes him. His death is the hinge of the poem: Achilles re-enters the war the next morning and the *Iliad*'s funeral games at book 23 are held in his honour.

Associated Places