The Iliad is a story filled with violence because of the fighting between the Trojans and the Greeks. The conflict roots to the event when Paris took Helen away from Menelaus. Because of this event, the Greeks waged war against the Trojans. They sailed from Greece to Troy to get back what was rightfully theirs and to have the city of Troy for themselves. The story started with people shouting at each other and fighting one another and ended with innumerable deaths. This is indeed one of the bloodiest stories ever written but also one of the most filled with emotions.
There was this instance in the story when Menelaus challenged Paris to a single battle. Whoever wins will keep Helen for him and the war will be over. They started engaging each other in battle, blow by blow, they fought relentlessly. But Menelaus had the upper hand, he was stronger and faster that Paris. Paris struggled to fight Menelaus. When Menelaus was about to finish Paris, Aphrodite interfered and saved Paris from death. Because of this, the war continued to ensue between the Achaeans and the Trojans. If I were given the chance to rewrite a part of the Iliad, it would be this part. And it goes like this.
Menelaus challenged Paris to a duel, whoever wins will have Helen and that’s it for the war. If Paris decides to fight, the war will be over with only one casualty. At first, Paris was reluctant to fight Menelaus for he knew that Menelaus was far superior to him. He tried not to show his cowardice to his brother, Hector, because he knew Hector was a great warrior and he could not accept that his brother is afraid of an Achaean. Instead, he goes and asks the help of the God, Aphrodite. Aphrodite agreed to help Paris in battle but Athena knew of this agreement between Paris and Aphrodite. Paris also asked Hephaestus to make an armor for him, an armor so light that he would be able to outmaneuver him because he believes that he has an advantage in terms of speed.
The next day, Paris set out to fight Menelaus. Everyone was watching, from the King to the slave. They were all ready for whatever might happen. Helen told Paris that she loves her and she does not regret coming with Paris. Menelaus taunted Paris but Paris did not flinch, he did not show any sign that he is scared of Menelaus, that he was scared of losing Helen. They fought relentlessly, blow by blow, they hit each other. Menelaus tried to finish him by thrusting his spear but Paris blocked it with his shield and threw a spear thrust of his own. It hit Menelaus’ leg, because of this, Paris grew confident. He played with Menelaus because he was limping around the battlefield. When Paris was about to finish Menelaus off, Menelaus pounced on Paris and stabbed him 19 times in the chest. Paris was severely injured, and asked for the help of Aphrodite. Aphrodite put a cloud over Paris but they didn’t know that Menelaus was also helped by Athena, he was able to see Aphrodite and Paris despite of the cloud. He rushed over to Paris and Aphrodite and beat the hell out of them two. Paris died, Aphrodite was injured. Helen was returned to Menelaus and the war was over. No more Iliad. The end.
Patroclos, a Man Worthy of Glory and Respect
Patroclos is an officer of the Myrmidons which is Achilles’ army. He is also Achilles’ great friend and adviser. When the Trojans had the advantage in the battle over the Greeks, the Achaeans grew desperate in having Achilles back in their side for Achilles once withdrew his support from the army because of certain reasons. It came to the point that even Agamemnon was willing to give up his possessions just to have Achilles join the Achaean army once again. But Achilles constantly refused these offers of reconciliation and was firm on his decision that he will not return to the army no matter what happens.
There were moments in the war where the Greeks was definitely outnumbered and outperformed by the rallying Trojans headed by their Prince Hector who is a great warrior, capable of cutting down foes one after another. When this happens, the Achaeans lose their stability in battle then routs back to their camps. When the Greeks retreat, the Trojans run after them. This caused the great loss of morale of the Greek Army. The officers knew that there was only one solution to solve the problem of the loss of morale of the army; the solution is to bring back Achilles to the front lines to lead the Greeks in to glory. But the problem is Achilles does not want to go back in any circumstance. He believes that fighting in the war is just a mere waste of time for him and for his Myrmidon army. Patroclos was the one assigned to talk to Achilles about the said matter since he is a great friend of Achilles’. He tried his best in convincing Achilles to return but he failed. But he had one thing in mind, and that is to use Achilles’ armor for the army to think that Achilles is back in the battle. Achilles approved of this proposal by Patroclos and let Patroclos use his own armor in battle.
The Greek army rallied on when they saw Achilles’ figure running through the battlefield. Their spirits were lifted in the mere sight of Achilles, but what they didn’t know was that this figure is not really Achilles, it’s Patroclos himself disguised as his great friend. They fought the Trojans valiantly; they did not surrender for their spirits were renewed. They reached the walls of Troy, when suddenly Apollo, disguised as a Trojan soldier, wounded Patroclos. More soldiers rushed to finish him, and when they did, the men scrambled for the armor of Achilles then they found out that this was not really Achilles, but this man is Patroclos, disguised as Achilles. The Trojans were shocked to this sight, they believed that they were fighting Achilles but they were wrong all along. The Greeks were shocked as well, they thought that their great leader returned but they were fooled.
Patroclos was a man of great sacrifice and principle. He decided to wear Achilles’ armor because he knew that this certain act of his would turn the tides of the battle back to their favor. He knew that this will cost his life, but he readily gave this up. He gave the greatest sacrifice ever, which is one’s life for the sake of a more noble cause. He was a great warrior, to be able to lead his comrades in battle, and to be able to convince the soldiers that he really is Achilles. He is a man worthy of glory and respect.
There were moments in the war where the Greeks was definitely outnumbered and outperformed by the rallying Trojans headed by their Prince Hector who is a great warrior, capable of cutting down foes one after another. When this happens, the Achaeans lose their stability in battle then routs back to their camps. When the Greeks retreat, the Trojans run after them. This caused the great loss of morale of the Greek Army. The officers knew that there was only one solution to solve the problem of the loss of morale of the army; the solution is to bring back Achilles to the front lines to lead the Greeks in to glory. But the problem is Achilles does not want to go back in any circumstance. He believes that fighting in the war is just a mere waste of time for him and for his Myrmidon army. Patroclos was the one assigned to talk to Achilles about the said matter since he is a great friend of Achilles’. He tried his best in convincing Achilles to return but he failed. But he had one thing in mind, and that is to use Achilles’ armor for the army to think that Achilles is back in the battle. Achilles approved of this proposal by Patroclos and let Patroclos use his own armor in battle.
The Greek army rallied on when they saw Achilles’ figure running through the battlefield. Their spirits were lifted in the mere sight of Achilles, but what they didn’t know was that this figure is not really Achilles, it’s Patroclos himself disguised as his great friend. They fought the Trojans valiantly; they did not surrender for their spirits were renewed. They reached the walls of Troy, when suddenly Apollo, disguised as a Trojan soldier, wounded Patroclos. More soldiers rushed to finish him, and when they did, the men scrambled for the armor of Achilles then they found out that this was not really Achilles, but this man is Patroclos, disguised as Achilles. The Trojans were shocked to this sight, they believed that they were fighting Achilles but they were wrong all along. The Greeks were shocked as well, they thought that their great leader returned but they were fooled.
Patroclos was a man of great sacrifice and principle. He decided to wear Achilles’ armor because he knew that this certain act of his would turn the tides of the battle back to their favor. He knew that this will cost his life, but he readily gave this up. He gave the greatest sacrifice ever, which is one’s life for the sake of a more noble cause. He was a great warrior, to be able to lead his comrades in battle, and to be able to convince the soldiers that he really is Achilles. He is a man worthy of glory and respect.
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