Questions about Achilles

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What is the etymological meaning of Achilles according to Linear B tablets and Greek roots?

Linear B tablets record the name Achilleus as a-ki-re-u or a-ki-re-we from the seventh century BCE. Scholars derive the translation he who has the people distressed from the Greek words achos for grief and laos for army.

How did Thetis attempt to make her son immortal and what was the result?

Statius wrote that Thetis dipped the infant Achilles in the river Styx while holding him by one heel. This ritual left his heel vulnerable to injury because it remained untouched by the magical waters. Homer later describes Achilles being wounded in Book 21 when Asteropaios grazed his elbow with a spear.

Why did Achilles refuse to fight during the events described in Homer's Iliad?

Agamemnon took Chryseis as a slave and demanded Briseis replace her as compensation after Apollo sent plague upon the Greeks. Achilles refused to fight when his plunder and honor were stolen so he prayed to Thetis to convince Zeus to help Trojans gain ground.

Where are the early dedicatory inscriptions honoring Achilles located on Leuce island?

Pliny wrote about this White Island situated near Olbia on the Black Sea coast. A fifth century BCE inscription reads Glaukos dedicated me to Achilles lord of Leuke found on Snake Island where ruins of a square temple measuring thirty meters per side were discovered in eighteen twenty-three.

What paradox did Zeno of Elea create involving Achilles and what was its purpose?

Zeno centered one paradox on an imaginary footrace between swift-footed Achilles and a tortoise. He attempted to show motion was impossible since Achilles could never catch up to a head start because time and change existed only as illusions according to Parmenides.

Which modern works reference Achilles and how have they portrayed him differently from ancient texts?

Virgil referred to Achilles as a savage butcher of men in his Aeneid written around first century BCE while Bob Dylan included song Temporary Like Achilles on Blonde on Blonde double-album released nineteen sixty-six. Dante placed Achilles in Hell's second circle devoted to lust during thirteen hundred eight to twelve and Thomas Corneille wrote tragedy La Mort d'Achille in seventeen hundred seventy-three.

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