The Story of Patroclus
Patroclus was the son of Menoetius and the closest companion of Achilles. As a boy he accidentally killed another child in a quarrel over a game of knucklebones. His father took him to the court of King Peleus, where he was raised alongside Achilles, and the two became inseparable.
At Troy, Patroclus was known for his kindness as well as his courage. When Achilles quarreled with Agamemnon and refused to fight, Patroclus stayed loyally beside him. Yet he grieved as he saw his fellow Greeks dying, and after tending a wounded friend, he begged Achilles to let him help.
Achilles agreed to let him wear his famous armor and lead the Myrmidons into battle, warning him only to drive the Trojans from the ships and come back. Seeing what looked like Achilles, the Trojans fled in terror. Patroclus killed many of them, including Sarpedon, a son of Zeus.
Carried away by success, Patroclus ignored the warning and chased the Trojans to the walls of Troy. Apollo struck him and knocked the armor from his body, a Trojan named Euphorbus wounded him, and Hector finished him with a spear. As he died, Patroclus warned Hector that Achilles would soon take his life.
The death of Patroclus drove Achilles back into the war and changed its course. Achilles held splendid funeral games in his honor, and the ghost of Patroclus asked that their bones might lie together in a single urn. When Achilles died, their ashes were mixed, and their bond became one of the most famous friendships in all of literature.
Famous Myths About Patroclus
Exile to Phthia
As a boy, Patroclus accidentally killed another child during a quarrel over a game. His father took him to the court of King Peleus, where he was raised alongside Achilles and the two became inseparable.
In Achilles' Armor
With the Greeks losing badly and Achilles refusing to fight, Patroclus begged to wear his friend's armor and lead the Myrmidons into battle. The Trojans fled in terror, and Patroclus drove them all the way back to the walls of Troy.
The Death of Patroclus
Ignoring Achilles' warning not to go too far, Patroclus pressed his attack on Troy itself. Apollo struck him and knocked off his armor, and Hector finished him with a spear, setting off Achilles' terrible revenge.
Patroclus's Family Tree
Parents of Patroclus
Partners of Patroclus
Children of Patroclus
Frequently Asked Questions About Patroclus
Who was Patroclus in Greek mythology?
Patroclus was the closest companion of Achilles and fought beside him in the Trojan War.
How did Patroclus meet Achilles?
As a boy in Opus, Patroclus accidentally killed another child in a quarrel and was sent to Phthia. He was raised there in the house of Peleus alongside Achilles.
Why did Patroclus wear Achilles's armor?
Achilles refused to fight after his quarrel with Agamemnon. Patroclus borrowed his armor so the Trojans would think Achilles had returned and fall back from the Greek ships.
How did Patroclus die?
After driving the Trojans back to their walls, Patroclus was struck by Apollo, wounded by Euphorbus and finally killed by Hector.
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