Patroclus
Patroclus was Achilles' closest companion whose death in borrowed armour at Hector's hands was the turning point of the Iliad.
The Legend of Patroclus
Closest companion of Achilles, Patroclus grew up alongside him after being exiled to Peleus's court for accidentally killing a boy. At Troy, when Achilles withdrew over the insult from Agamemnon regarding Briseis, Patroclus begged to fight in his armour. Achilles consented but warned him not to press too far. Patroclus drove the Trojans back to the walls, killed Sarpedon — Zeus's own son — and nearly took the city. Apollo struck him senseless, and Hector delivered the killing blow. His death brought Achilles back to battle, sealing Hector's and Troy's doom.
Parents
Menoetius and Sthenele
Symbols
Fun Fact
The bond between Achilles and Patroclus became the archetypal model of devoted friendship in Western literature.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Patroclus
🗡 heroThe companion whose death transformed the Iliad
Achilles's closest companion whose death in borrowed armour broke the hero's withdrawal and sent him raging back to war.
Pylades
🗡 heroFaithful companion of Orestes
Pylades was the devoted friend of Orestes who accompanied him through matricide, madness, and exile — the exemplar of loyal friendship in Greek myth.
Antilochus
🗡 heroThe young warrior who died saving Nestor
The son of Nestor who died at Troy protecting his elderly father from Memnon — a sacrifice that moved Achilles to avenge him.
Sarpédon
🗡 heroSon of Zeus who died at Troy
Sarpedon was a son of Zeus and the greatest Lycian warrior at Troy — his death forced Zeus to confront the limits of even divine power.
Glaukos of Lykia
🗡 heroHonour, Lycian alliance
Lycian commander and grandson of Bellerophon who famously exchanged armour with Diomedes on the battlefield
Podes
🗡 heroWealth, feasting
Trojan nobleman and close companion of Hector who was valued for his hospitality
Hippothous
🗡 heroPelasgian leadership, combat
Leader of the Pelasgian allies of Troy who was killed fighting over the body of Patroclus
Eurypylos
🗡 heroCombat, Mysian alliance
Son of Telephus and leader of the Mysians who came late to Troy's defence and was killed by Neoptolemus
Hector
🗡 heroChampion of Troy
Hector was Troy's greatest warrior, who fought not for glory but to defend his city, wife, and son.
Neoptolemus
🗡 heroSon of Achilles
Neoptolemus was Achilles' fierce son, brought to Troy because a prophecy declared the city could not fall without him.
Tydeus
🗡 heroThe ferocious warrior who forfeited immortality
A hero of savage courage who fought as one of the Seven Against Thebes but lost Athena's gift of immortality in his final moment.
Sarpedon
🗡 heroNone recorded
Lycian prince and ally of Troy in the Trojan War, son of Zeus