Patroclus

Patroclus is defined by his relationship to Achilles. He is not simply a subordinate: the poem calls him Achilles’ companion and treats his death as the loss that matters most to Achilles. When Achilles withdraws in Book I, Patroclus stays with him; when the Achaeans are losing in Book XI, Achilles sends Patroclus to Nestor’s tent to ask after the wounded.

Nestor sees the opportunity and suggests that Patroclus either persuade Achilles to return or, if he cannot, go into battle in Achilles’ armour. The suggestion is tempting and dangerous. Patroclus takes it up in Book XVI, after the Trojans have reached the ships.

Achilles lends Patroclus his armour and his Myrmidons but tells him only to drive the Trojans back from the ships, not to pursue them to the walls. Patroclus fights brilliantly: he kills Sarpedon, Zeus’ son, and pushes the Trojans back. But he ignores the warning and goes after Hector.

Apollo strikes him from behind, dazing him and knocking off his helmet; Euphorbus wounds him; Hector finishes him. Before he dies, Patroclus prophesies that Achilles will kill Hector and that Achilles will soon die himself. The armour is stripped, and the fight over his body becomes one of the hardest in the poem. When the news reaches Achilles, his grief turns the Iliad around.