Achilles

Demigod (⅝ divine: a quartigod father, Peleus, and a fully-divine numen mother, Thetis — (¼ + 1)/2). The greatest of the Achaeans and the central figure of the Iliad; swift-footed, near-invulnerable save the heel, doomed to a short and glorious life. His wrath, withdrawal, and return to kill Hector frame the poem; he falls to Paris's heel-shot at the Scaean Gate. Formerly barred from the registry by the strict parentage rule (his mother being a Nereid) — now admissible, and computed a demigod by ordinary descent.

Parentage

• paternal: Peleus
• maternal: Thetis

Children

• Neoptolemus

Domains

• war
• martial excellence
• swiftness

Powers

• Near-invulnerability
• Supreme martial prowess
• Preternatural swiftness of foot

Relations

• companion: Patroclus (son of Menoetius; Achilles' dearest companion, whose death drives the latter half of the Iliad) · GreekHom. Il. 16-18 (primary)
• enemy: HectorSlew Hector before the Scaean Gate (Il. 22).Hom. Il. 22; Apollod. Epit. (primary)
• enemy: TroilusKilled the young Troilus early in the war (Apollod. Epit. 3.32).Hom. Il. 22; Apollod. Epit. (primary)

Sources

• existence: Hom. Il. (throughout); Apollod. 3.13.6-8, Epit. 3-5; Pind. Nem.; Statius Achilleid (primary)
• parentage: Hom. Il. 1.1, 1.357-358 (primary)