Patroclus
Patroclus is a significant figure from ancient Greek mythology, primarily known for his close relationship with Achilles during the Trojan War. His background is somewhat enigmatic; he is described as the son of Menoetius, who was possibly a king, and his identity is linked to various women in myth. Banished from his homeland after a tragic accident, Patroclus found refuge in Phthia, where he became a mentor and companion to Achilles, often serving as a stabilizing influence on the fiery warrior.
Throughout the Trojan War, Patroclus fought valiantly alongside Achilles but ultimately sought to fight in his stead when Achilles withdrew from battle due to a conflict with Agamemnon. Donning Achilles' armor, Patroclus initially inspired the Greek forces and achieved significant victories, including the killing of Sarpedon, a son of Zeus. However, his ambition led to his downfall when the gods intervened, resulting in his death at the hands of a Trojan warrior. Patroclus's death deeply affected Achilles, spurring him to seek vengeance against Hector, the Trojan champion. In honor of Patroclus, the Greeks conducted elaborate funeral rites, emphasizing his importance in the epic narratives surrounding the Trojan War.
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Patroclus
According to tales from ancient Greece, Patroclus was an outcast or possibly a prince, a mentor, an advisor, and a powerful warrior. However, he is best remembered for his close relationship with Achilles, the Greek champion of the Trojan War. As with the Trojan War itself, the historical authenticity of Patroclus is unclear and often debated. He may have been a historical figure, a creation of myth, or some combination. Stories about Patroclus appear in several works, but he is most famously depicted in the Iliad by Homer.
Background
Several ancient Greek texts mention Patroclus and provide information about his feats and background, although modern researchers are unsure of what information is factual and what is legend. According to early sources, Patroclus was the son of Menoetius and a woman whose identity is uncertain; she is variously identified as Sthenele, Periopis, Philomela, or Polymele. Menoetius is better-known in Greek tales, as he was possibly the king of Opus. He had also been a member of the legendary Argonauts, a group of traveling heroes who helped their leader, Jason, seek the fabled Golden Fleece.
As a boy, Patroclus was banished from Opus after he killed another young man, apparently by accident after a game of chance. This seemingly reckless event stands in sharp contrast to typical depictions of Patroclus as a thoughtful, reasonable, and good-hearted young man. Now without a home, Patroclus traveled to Phthia, where he became associated with that land’s king, Peleus, and his family. In particular, Patroclus grew close to Peleus’s young son, Achilles, and the two formed a lifelong bond. Since he was slightly older and more experienced, Patroclus often served as a guide and mentor for Achilles. Patroclus’s cool temper and strong sense of reason helped to keep the firebrand Achilles from getting into too much trouble. Many readers and historians have speculated that the two may have had a romantic relationship as well, though this is not stated in ancient sources.
Overview
The story of Patroclus and Achilles became inextricably tied to the Trojan War and the mysterious maiden at its center—Helen, known as the world’s most beautiful woman. Some sources suggest that Patroclus sought the hand of Helen, but the link was never made, and Helen was subsequently swept away by Paris, a prince of the kingdom of Troy. This affront enraged the people of Greece, leading to a large-scale assault against Troy in which Patroclus, and especially Achilles, would play significant roles.
Patroclus and Achilles joined the Greek attack force heading to Troy. Throughout the coming months, they remained extremely close. Achilles proved to be the mightiest warrior among the Greeks. Meanwhile, Patroclus served as a sort of assistant to Achilles, all the while trying to assert his level-headedness on his quick-tempered friend. However, Patroclus’s calming influence could not prevent Achilles from getting into an argument with the Mycenaean Greek leader Agamemnon about a beautiful captive woman named Briseis.
Achilles was outraged by Agamemnon’s claim to Briseis and refused to serve under his command, retiring from the battlefield and leaving the Greeks bereft of his vast skill in combat. Achilles watched the progress of the battle from the camp, still refusing to participate. He sent Patroclus toward the battle lines to gather news about the fate of the Greeks.
While on this chore, Patroclus met the Mycenaean king Nestor, who reminded Patroclus of the great sway he held over Achilles and the hopes of King Peleus that he would guide Achilles in the right direction. Nestor pleaded with Patroclus to convince Achilles to return to the fight and bolster the flagging Greek forces. While returning to Achilles, Patroclus stopped to assist a wounded Greek king and learned that the Trojans were launching a major counterattack, making Achilles’ return even more vital.
Patroclus pled the case with Achilles but failed to win him over. Seeing his friend inflexible, Patroclus asked if he may borrow Achilles’ armor, so he could join the fight himself and possibly sow fear among Trojans who are deceived into believing that Achilles has returned. Achilles accepted Patroclus’s proposal and lent him his armor, although his spear was too heavy for anyone to lift other than Achilles himself. Achilles warns his friend not to get carried away by the lust for battlefield glory.
Thus armored, Patroclus rushed to the battlefield and stirred the spirits of one of the Greek armies, calling them to attack the advancing Trojans in honor of Achilles. Patroclus’s plan seemed to work perfectly. The Greek soldiers rose to join him, and the Trojans, falling for his ruse, retreated before them. The charge led by Patroclus trapped the Trojan army and Patroclus himself, perhaps channeling his friend’s expertise at warfare, killed many Trojans. One of the mightiest warriors among the Trojan contingent, Sarpedon, a son of the chief god Zeus, challenged Patroclus. During their battle, Patroclus killed Sarpedon, further dispiriting the Trojans.
Patroclus continued to fight at a feverish pace, suggesting that he was no longer just interested in restoring Achilles’ pride or advancing the Greek cause but in attaining personal glory. This behavior troubled Zeus as well as the god Apollo, who did not feel Patroclus was suited to lead the conquest of Troy. Apollo began to sabotage Patroclus by pulling away his armor and helmet and breaking his weapon, allowing a Trojan warrior to fatally wound him with a spear.
Patroclus collapsed, decrying the malevolence of the gods, and died. The other Greeks, shocked and dismayed by the sight, lost their momentum and barely managed to recover Patroclus’ corpse and armor. Upon seeing his closest friend dead, Achilles wailed and wept, promising to gain revenge by defeating the greatest Trojan champion, Hector—a promise he soon carried out. The mourning Greeks honored Patroclus with a spectacular funeral rite featuring an enormous pyre; funerary games; and extensive sacrifices, including food, animals, and even captured enemy troops.
Bibliography
Cline, Eric H. The Trojan War: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2013.
Miate, Liana. “Patroclus.” World History Encyclopedia, 20 Sept. 2022, www.worldhistory.org/Patroclus/. Accessed 23 April 2023.
Morales, Manuel Sanz and Gabriel Laguna Mariscal. “The Relationship Between Achilles and Patroclus According to Chariton of Aphrodisias.” The Classical Quarterly, Vol. 53, No. 1 (May 2003), pp. 292–295.
Redfield, James M. Nature and Culture in the Iliad. Duke University Press, 1994.
Schein, Seth L. The Mortal Hero: An Introduction to Homer’s Iliad. University of California Press, 1984.
Strauss, Barry. The Trojan War. Simon & Schuster, 2006.
Wood, Michael. In Search of the Trojan War. University of California Press, 1998.
Wylie, Charlotte, Eleanor Fussell, and Christian Shrier. “Achilles and Patroclus—More than Friends?” University of Liverpool, 25 Oct. 2019, www.liverpool.ac.uk/archaeology-classics-and-egyptology/blog/2019posts/achilles-patroclus/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2023.