< Achilles, son of Peleus >

1 Origin

1.1 Birth

Achilles was born in Phthia, Thessaly, in 1234 BC.

Achilles' father was Peleus.

Achilles' mother was Thetis.

Peleus had at least two wives before marrying Thetis.

Peleus was estimated to have been 46 years old when Achilles was born.

1.2 Death of father

In 1227 BC, Heracles fought against the Lapiths who lived in Gyrton, Itonus, and Ormenium.

These towns were adjacent to Peleus' territory, but Peleus does not appear in the battle between Heracles and the Lapiths. Ceyx of Trachis, who was in Heracles' army, was the half-brother of Peleus' father Aeacus and Peleus' uncle. If Peleus had lived, he would have been in Heracles' army.

It is likely that Peleus died by this time.

When Peleus died, Achilles was a boy under seven years old.

Achilles was brought up by Phoenix, who lived in Ctimene in Dolopia, near the border with Phthia.

2 Family

Achilles married Deidamia, daughter of Lycomedes, who lived in Scyros.

Achilles and Deidamia had a son, Neoptolemus (or Pyrrhus).

Achilles and Deidamia also had a son named Oneiros.

3 Others

3.1 Expansion of power

In 1236 BC, Peleus expelled the Minyans, who had rebelled and destroyed Iolcus.

After this battle, it is believed that Phthia took over Iolcus' trade with the Black Sea coast.

In 1227 BC, the Lapiths, who lived in Itonus and Ormenium, were defeated in a battle by Heracles.

Although Peleus' name does not appear in this battle, it is believed that the Myrmidons of Phthia also sided with Heracles because of their connection with Ceyx of Trachis.

Trachis was a town of the Myrmidons.

As a result, Achilles' area of ​​control extended into the Pagasetic Gulf.

3.2 Trade with the Black Sea coast

The Minyans, whom Peleus expelled from Iolcus, knew the sea route to Colchis on the eastern Black Sea coast.

The source of wealth of Iolcus, which was so prosperous that the story of the Argonauts was created, was trade with the Black Sea coast. Peleus took over trade with the Black Sea coast from the Minyans, and Achilles further developed it.

The geographer Pomponius Mela, who lived in the 1st century AD, tells us that Achilles may have actually been active in the Black Sea.

In the northern Black Sea, there was Dromos Achilleos (Racecourse of Achilles), named after Achilles.

In the northwestern Black Sea, there was an island dedicated to Achilles.

3.3 Expedition of Troy

In 1188 BC, the sons of Antenor expelled the sons of Priam and occupied Ilium.

Priam's sons asked Achilles, with whom they had been friends through the use of Hellespont, for reinforcements.

Achilles led the Achaeans in an expedition to Troy.

Achilles died in battle with the sons of Antenor.

His tomb was in Sigeium, northwest of Ilium.

In 334 BC, Alexander the Great visited Achilles' tomb and anointed the gravestone marker with holy oil.