Pictures of Achilles
Here are some pictures of Achilles, which tell his story in a very abbreviate way.
When he was born, his mother, goddess Thetis, bathed him into the river Styx in order to make him immortal.
Thetis Dipping The Infant Achilles Into Water From The Styx
Balestra, Antonio
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When he grew up, he spent most of his time in the Trojan war. His enemies were very afraid of him. In these pictures of Achilles, you'll see him fighting against the Trojan prince Troilus, and against the queen of the Amazons, Penthesilea.
The Ambush of the Trojan Prince Troilus by Achilles, from the Tomb of the Bulls c.540 BC
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Athenian black-figure neck amphora of Achilles slaying the Amazon Queen Penthesilea at Troy
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The Greek hero Achilles killed so many Trojans, that the waters of the river Scamander were full of corpses. The river god was very angry, so he attacked Achilles.
Fight of Achilles with the River Scamander
Runge, Philipp Otto
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Fight of Achilles with the River Scamander
Runge, Philipp Otto
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But even during the war there were days in which the heroes could just relax. In the following pictures of Achilles, you can see him playing games with his friend Ajax.
Ajax and Achilles Playing Dice in the Presence of Athena
Unknown
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Achilles and Ajax playing a board game,Circa 500-490 B.C.
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Once, after a successful action, Achilles was not satisfied with how the prey was divided, so he quarelled with Agamemnon and refused to participate in the battles any more.
Achilles has a dispute with Agamemnon, 1776
Tischbein, Johann Heinrich
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His beloved friend, Patrocles, went to fight in his place and was killed by Hector. That's what made Achilles go back into battle and kill Hector, then he fastened the body to his chariot and dragged it around the walls of Troy.
Achilles Fastens the Body of Hector
Master Of Antiope
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Hector's father, Priam, came to the Greek's camp and begged the hero to give him back his son's body. In these pictures of Achilles, you can see the old man kneeling at the hero's feet.
King Priam begging Achilles for the return of Hector's body, 1824
Ivanov, Aleksandr Andreevich
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Roman silver-gilt drinking cup of King Priam of Troy appealing to Achilles for return of his son
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But, as we all know, the hero had a weak point, Achilles' heel. He was killed by an arrow directed by god Apollo to his heel, the only mortal point of his body. In the following pictures of Achilles, you can see how he was mourned by everyone.
Black-figure hydria depicting the Nereids mourning Achilles, c.560-550 BC (ceramic)
Damon Painter
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The Sacrifice Of Polyxena At The Tomb Of Achilles
Pittoni, Giovanni Battista
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