As a scholar with a deep interest in classical literature and mythology, I have studied the epic tales of ancient Greece extensively. The story of Achilles, one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology, is a tale of valor, tragedy, and the complexities of fate. His death, though not detailed in Homer's "Iliad," is a well-known part of the broader Trojan War narrative, as recounted in various ancient sources.
Achilles' demise is a story of his one vulnerability, a detail that is often overshadowed by his many heroic deeds. According to the myth, his mother, Thetis, knowing that her son was destined to die young, dipped him as a baby into the River Styx. This act made his body invulnerable everywhere it had been touched by the waters, except for one spot: the heel by which she held him. This minor detail became the key to his undoing.
The narrative of Achilles' death is most famously told in the "Aethiopis," an epic poem that is part of the Epic Cycle but has been lost. However, summaries and references in other works, such as the works of the ancient Greek historian Proclus, provide us with the details. It is said that after the death of Achilles' close friend Patroclus, who had been killed by the Trojan prince Hector, Achilles avenged his friend's death by killing Hector in a one-on-one combat outside the gates of Troy. This event is the climax of the "Iliad."
However, Achilles' own death occurred later in the Trojan War. It was Paris, the Trojan prince who had initially caused the war by abducting Helen of Sparta, who would ultimately be responsible for Achilles' demise. According to the accounts, Paris, with the help of the god Apollo, shot an arrow that struck Achilles in his only vulnerable spot—the heel. The arrow, guided by Apollo's divine influence, found its mark, and Achilles, despite his near-invulnerability, succumbed to his fatal wound.
The death of Achilles is not just a tale of a hero's end but also a poignant reminder of the double-edged sword of divine favor. While Thetis' attempt to make her son immortal had given him great strength, it also created a fatal flaw that would lead to his downfall. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the inevitability of fate, even for the greatest of heroes.
In Greek mythology, the death of Achilles also has profound implications for the Trojan War itself. With Achilles gone, the Greeks faced a significant setback, and it was only through the cunning of the Trojan Horse that they were eventually able to breach the walls of Troy and end the war.
The story of Achilles is one that has been told and retold across centuries, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and philosophy. His life and death continue to captivate audiences, serving as a testament to the enduring power of the ancient Greek myths.

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Achilles' most notable feat during the Trojan War was the slaying of the Trojan hero Hector outside the gates of Troy. Although the death of Achilles is not presented in the Iliad, other sources concur that he was killed near the end of the Trojan War by Paris, who shot him in the heel with an arrow.read more >>