Aquiles in National Museums and Palaces of Portugal

Centre for Classical Studies (School of Arts and Humanities, U. Lisbon), in the context of the project LACC Late Achilles in the Classroom and Court (PTDC/LLT-LES/30930/2017)

logoNational Museum of Archaeology

This work is financed with National Funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), through the project Project LACC: Late Achilles in the Classroom and Court (PTDC/LLT-LES/30930/2017).

Gemstone showing Achilles (2nd cent.)National Museum of Archaeology

Achilles

The helmet that Achilles holds may recall his main adversary, the Trojan "Hector, helmet flashing" (Iliad 8.371).

Tethys plunges Achilles into the waters of the River Styx (1726/1761)National Museum of Archaeology

Thetis and Achilles

Having received a prophecy that Achilles would not enjoy a long life, Thetis submerged him in the river Styx, which would make him immortal. She held him by the ankle, which therefore remained vulnerable.  

Tethys plunges Achilles into the waters of the River Styx (1726/1761)National Museum of Archaeology

Thetis and Achilles

"For now I behold swords that threaten to pierce my womb, now my arms are bruised with lamentation, now savage beasts assail my breasts; often – ah, horror! – I seem to take my son down to the void of Tartarus, and dip him a second time in the springs of Styx." (Achill. 1.131-4)

Black-figure lekythos showing the rape of Thetis by Peleus Black-figure lekythos showing the rape of Thetis by Peleus (-470/-460)National Museum of Archaeology

Achilles' parents, Thetis and Peleus

After trying in vain to grab and hold onto Thetis, whose body kept changing shapes, Peleus ties down the goddess with a rope and waits until she assumes her original form. Achilles was born from the union of Thetis and Peleus.

Black-figure lekythos showing the rape of Thetis by Peleus Black-figure lekythos showing the rape of Thetis by Peleus (-470/-460)National Museum of Archaeology

"She took the form of a bird, but he still held on to the bird./ She changed to a sturdy tree, and he clung to the trunk like ivy". 
(Ovid, Metamorphoses 11.243-244)

Bell-Krater with (A) the Centaur Chiron Accompanied by a Satyr and (B) Two Youths Bell-Krater with (A) the Centaur Chiron Accompanied by a Satyr and (B) Two YouthsLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Chiron teaches Achilles to hold the bow

 Ironically, it will be an arrow shot from a bow that will kill the hero. In the epic poem Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes (III BCE), young Achilles is in the company of Chiron when he sees his father Peleus depart in the expedition to find the golden fleece.

Bell-Krater with (A) the Centaur Chiron Accompanied by a Satyr and (B) Two Youths (circa 350-325 B.C.) by Attributed to PythonLos Angeles County Museum of Art

"From his/ mountain summit Cheiron, Phílyra's son, came down to the seashore (...)/ beside him his wife bore Achilles, Peleus's son, firm-cradled/ in the crook of her arm, held him up to his dear father." 
(Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.551-559)

Figurine of Vulcan (1/99)National Museum of Archaeology

The shield of Achilles

Hephaestus, the blacksmith of the gods, is asked by Thetis to forge arms for Achilles. His creation is divine. Achilles’ shield, described in Iliad 18, shows the earth, heavens, cities, fields, and even the river Ocean. Most amazingly, this shield exhibits movement and sound.

Figurine of Vulcan (1/99)National Museum of Archaeology

The shield of Achilles in the Iliad

"... he forged on the shield two noble cities (...)/With weddings and wedding feasts (...)/under glowing torches they brought forth the brides/ from the women's chambers, marching through the streets (...)/ and the young men came dancing, whirling round". 

(Iliad 18.572-578)

Odysseus discovers Achilles among the daughters of Lycomedes (1726/1761)National Museum of Archaeology

Achilles Hidden in Scyros

Anxious because of a prophecy that Achilles would die if he fought at Troy, Thetis disguises her son with women’s clothes and hides him on the island of Skyros among  Lycomedes’s many daughters. The Greeks, however, come to know of his hiding place.

Odysseus discovers Achilles among the daughters of Lycomedes (1726/1761)National Museum of Archaeology

Achilles Hidden in Scyros

"But I, to excite his masculine interest, inserted some arms/ amongst our feminine wares. He still was dressed/ in the clothes of a girl when I caught him holding a spear and shield." 
(Ovid, Metamorphoses 13.165-167)

Plate representing Hector (1798/1820)National Museum of Archaeology

Hector, Achilles' rival

Achilles’ greatest Trojan rival was Hector. In the Iliad, he was the last of Priam’s sons to die, the best of the Trojan warriors, and Troy’s last hope. Divine Achilles distinguishes himself for his excellence—Hector touches us through his humane character. 

Achilles drags Hector's corpse (1726/1761)National Museum of Archaeology

Achilles kills Hector

In his duel with Achilles, Hector falls down. With his last breath he begs Achilles to return his corpse to his family and to Troy. Achilles, however, ignores this request and desecrates the dead body by dragging it around the walls of Troy. 

Achilles drags Hector's corpse (1726/1761)National Museum of Archaeology

Achilles kills Hector

"Piercing the tendons, ankle to heel behind both feet,/ he knotted straps of rawhide through them both,/ lashed them to his chariot, left the head to drag..." 

 (Iliad 22.468-470)

Achilles death scene (1730/1735)National Museum of Archaeology

Death of Achilles

"he pointed the hero out, still hacking the Trojans/ down; then turning Paris’ bow in the same direction he guided an arrow/with deadly aim at Achilles’ heel." (Ovid, Metamorphoses 12.604-606)

Alexander and the tomb of Achilles (1701/1800)National Museum of Archaeology

Alexander the Great and Achilles

Achilles had a central place in the literary and mythological traditions, and many generations felt inspired by his life and deeds.  Alexander the Great, the famous commander, was reportedly one among many historical figures who tried to emulate Achilles. 

Alexander and the tomb of Achilles (1701/1800)National Museum of Archaeology

Alexander the Great and Achilles

"Furthermore, the gravestone of Achilles he anointed with oil, (...) crowned it with garlands, pronouncing the hero happy in having, while he lived, a faithful friend, and after death, a great herald of his fame." 
(Plutarch, Life of Alexander 15.8)

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Images 
[MNA: Museu Nacional de Arqueologia; PNA: Palácio Nacional da Ajuda] 
 
1, 11 and 12: PNA, 498; Ulysses finds Achilles out among the daughters of Licomedes;  Borght, Jan-Frans van der Orley, Jan Van Coppens, Augustin; 1726–1761    
2: MNA, Au 1205; Ring stone with representation of Achilles    
3 and 4: PNA, 500; Thetis submerges Achilles in the waters of the river Styx; Borght, Jan-Frans van der Orley, Jan Van Coppens, Augustin; 1726–1761    
5 and 6: MNA, 987.55.111; Group of the Haimon painter, 470–460 BCE 
7 and 8: PNA, 4052; Achilles’ Education, 1863 – 1865    
9 and 10: MNA, 993.17.1; Statuette of Vulcanus,  I CE – Roman period    13: Palácio Nacional de Mafra 7266; Hector,  1798 – 1820    
14 and 15: PNA, 501; Achilles drags Hector’s corpse; Borght, Jan-Frans van der Orley, Jan Van Coppens, Augustin;  1726 – 1761    
16: Museu Nacional dos Coches, HD 0438; Scene of the Death of Achilles; Grellet, Antoine; 1730 – 1735
17: PNA, 53146/66; Alexander and Achilles’ tomb; Coelémans, I. Bourdon, Sebastien (1616-1671)

Credits: Story

National Museum of Archaeology
Carlos Diniz

University of Lisbon, School of Arts and Humanities, Centre for Classical Studies
Project LACC: Late Achilles in the Classroom and Court (PTDC/LLT-LES/30930/2017)
Ana Lóio (coordination)
Fotini Hadjittofi (correction of the English version)
Gonçalo Counhago 

This work is financed with National Funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), through the project Project LACC: Late Achilles in the Classroom 

Bibliography
Apollonios Rhodios, The Argonautika, trans. Peter Green, University of California Press, 2007
Homer, The Iliad, trans. Robert Fagles, Penguin Classics, 1991.
Ovid, Metamorphoses, trans. David Raeburn, Penguin Classics, 2014.
Plutarch, Plutarch's Lives VII: Demosthenes and Cicero, Alexander and Caesar, trans. Bernadotte Perrin, The Loeb Classical Library, 1919.
Statius, Thebaid, Achilleid. Trans. by Mozley, J H. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1928.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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