Patroclus, myth, significance, trojan war, & facts

After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. Patroclus, son of Menoetius, was a Greek hero from northern Greece and the closest companion of the famous Achilles. Patroclus accompanied Achilles to the Trojan War and stood loyally by his side when Achilles withdrew from the fighting due to a quarrel with the Greek general Agamemnon.

During the battle, he was killed by the Trojan hero Hector.

Achilles and patroclus

Achilles, crushed by the loss of his best friend, returned to the fighting and slew Hector to avenge Patroclus. Patroclus was the son of Menoetius, a hero from the region of Eastern Locris who had taken part in the voyage of the Argonauts. Patroclus originally hailed from Eastern Locris, a region in northern or north-central Greece.

But he was banished as a boy for accidentally killing one of his playmates. Patroclus traveled north to Phthia and was taken in by Peleus , the father of Achilles. In Phthia, Patroclus became the best friend and attendant of Achilles. The two grew up together and later traveled together to Troy to fight in the Trojan War. Tondo of an Attic red-figure kylix showing Achilles right tending the wounded Patroclus left , from Vulci ca.

Patroclus was killed in the ninth year of the Trojan War. After Achilles withdrew from the fighting due to a bitter quarrel with the Greek commander Agamemnon , the Trojans pressed their advantage and attacked the Greek camp. Patroclus managed to drive the Trojans back, killing several great heroes in the process. But he made the mistake of fighting Hector, the strongest of the Trojan warriors.

Patroclus and Achilles grew up together after the young Patroclus was banished from his homeland for accidentally killing another boy.