Classical Allusions: Achilles

Study Notes

Achilles

Hero of Homer's "Iliad," representing valor and beauty.
Invulnerable except for his heel, due to being dipped in the river Styx.
Slain by Paris, whose arrow struck his heel, contributing to the term "Achilles' heel," symbolizing a person’s weakness.

Agamemnon

King in Greek mythology, known for sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia to gain divine favor for the war against Troy.
Father of Orestes and Electra, and an unfaithful husband to Clytemnestra.

Antigone

Daughter of Oedipus, who defied Creon’s orders by performing funeral rites for her brother Polynices.
Represents the conflict between divine authority and civil law, exploring themes of justice versus legality.

Atalanta

Renowned huntress in Greek mythology, challenged men to a race for her hand in marriage.
Defeated by Hippomenes using three golden apples to distract her, illustrating the triumph of intellect over physical ability.

Atlas

Titan in Greek mythology who rebelled against Zeus and was punished to hold up the heavens for eternity.
His burden symbolizes the weight of responsibility and the idea of bearing great struggles.

Cassandra

Daughter of Priam, king of Troy, gifted with prophecy but cursed by Apollo to never be believed.
Symbolizes the archetype of an unheeded prophet, foreseeing disaster yet ignored.

Daedalus and Icarus

Daedalus, the architect of the Minotaur's labyrinth, designed wings for himself and his son Icarus to escape imprisonment.
Icarus ignored warnings to fly low and fell to his death when his wings melted, representing the dangers of hubris and ambition.

Damocles, sword of

A symbol of imminent danger, stemming from the myth where Damocles enjoys a lavish banquet but is reminded of peril by a sword hanging overhead.
The phrase signifies the unsettling presence of imminent disaster in one’s life.

Damon and Bacchus

Bacchus, known as Dionysus in Greek mythology, represents wine, revelry, and emotional ecstasy, often associated with excess.
His festivals in ancient drama reflect the creative and intuitive, appearing in modern culture, e.g., in films like "Animal House."

Iphigenia

Eldest daughter of Agamemnon, sacrificed by her father to ensure favorable winds for Greek forces en route to Troy, linking familial ties to the broader narrative of wartime sacrifice.

Judgement of Paris

A beauty contest featuring Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, judged by Paris, sparked by Eris’s apple labeled "To the Fairest."
Paris's choice of Aphrodite, who promised Helen's love, ignited the conflict leading to the Trojan War. Associated with themes of disastrous choices and fate.

Labors of Hercules

Hercules’s completion of 12 arduous tasks as penance, including slaying the Nemean Lion and capturing the Golden Hind.
These labors reflect themes of heroism, endurance, and the quest for immortality through overcoming monumental challenges.

Description

This flashcard set explores the character of Achilles from Greek mythology, detailing his role in Homer's 'Iliad'. Discover his invulnerability and the significance of his 'heel'. Ideal for literature enthusiasts and students studying classical literature.