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Patroclus
Sign in to savethumb|upright=1.2|Patroclus on an antique fresco from the House of the Tragic Poet in [[Pompeii, 1st century AD (Naples National Archaeological Museum)]] Patroclus (generally pronounced ; ) 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.
Patroclus was a Greek hero and close companion of Achilles in Homer's Iliad, one of the most important works of ancient Greek literature. Later ancient authors often interpreted his relationship with Achilles as romantic, though Homer's original text does not explicitly describe them as lovers.
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11 sectionsContents
- Name
- Description and family
- Mythology
- Early days
- Trojan War
- Relationship with Achilles
- Footnotes
- References
- Bibliography
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|upright=1.2|Patroclus on an antique fresco from the House of the Tragic Poet in [[Pompeii, 1st century AD (Naples National Archaeological Museum)]] Patroclus (generally pronounced ; ) 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.