In the end, it’s all a mystery, which is part of what makes Greek mythology so fascinating and enduring.Disclaimer: do not read if you don’t like spoilers. Some think he was bisexual, since there is evidence of his romantic attachments to both men and women, while others see his deep attachment to Patroclus as a confirmation that he was gay. This means he has taken many different guises. Ipsen/Ernst Herter, Terracotta model of Achilles, late 19th century, image courtesy of Christie’sĪchilles is ultimately a fictional character who writers have moulded into their own fantasy for centuries. This suggests he had an intimate attachment to her. When Agamemnon, King of the Greeks tries to take Briseis for himself, Achilles is outraged. During the Trojan War, we are told that Achilles was presented with Briseis, daughter of the Trojan priest of Apollo, as a war prize. But when the king’s daughter Deidamia finds out he is a boy, they have an affair, and a boy is born as a result, named Neoptolemus. Before he enters the Trojan War, Achilles’ mother hides her young son in a dress in amongst the daughters of King Lycomedes (does this suggest he liked wearing women’s clothes?). Various stories about Achilles’ life suggest he might have been attracted to women, although he never officially got married. She also explains how he wanted to remain with Patroclus’ dead body alone for an extended period of time, which points to a particularly intimate, close attachment.Īphrodite Makes Him Fall In Love With Troilus Ancient Greek Water Jar, illustrating Achilles Pursuing Troilus, about 540 BCE, image courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, BostonĪchilles’ Sexuality Might Have Been More Complex, as Some Stories Link Him Romantically to Women Matthieu-Ignace van Bree, Briseis taken from Achilles by the heralds Talthybios and Eurybates, 1795, image courtesy of Christie’s Miller points out how he keeps a lock of Patroclus’ hair. Miller particularly explores how Achilles’ expression of grief at the death of Patroclus suggests the deep agony and longing of love and a broken heart, not just friendship. In her much-publicised book The Song of Achilles, 2011, the writer Madeline Miller retells The Iliad as a romantic love story between Achilles and Patroclus. The Writer Madeline Miller Believes He Was In Love With Patroclus The Song of Achilles book cover by Madeline Miller, 2011, image courtesy of the Washington Post Instead, it may just be a case of the Greeks projecting their own ideas onto the original story. But we don’t know if there even was an age gap between them. Centuries later, various Greek texts presented Achilles and Patroclus as pederastic lovers (a common practice in Greek society where an older male and younger male form a sexual relationship). Instead, any romantic attachments are implied rather than stated as fact. It describes them as close companions, but not specifically lovers. Homer’s epic poem The Iliad, gives us the most detailed account of their relationship. One of the main arguments that suggest he might have been gay is the expression of love between Achilles and his closest friend Patroclus, who he had known since childhood. Many scholars have speculated about Achilles’ sexuality. Achilles’ Sexuality Is Never Defined In Classical Literature Euphronios, Achilles and Patroclus, 490-500 BCE, image courtesy of Fine Art America
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