Expert: Irulan Serena - 1/13/2007

Question
Thank-you — where exactly does Homer say that?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
How old was Achilles at the start of the Trojan War? What about Patroclus?

-----Answer-----
Jen,

Achilles was very young, according to Homer he was 17 and Patroculus was 2
years older.

Iru

Answer
In the epic myth called The Iliad by Homer.  The exact page I cannot give you because it depends on what book or version one reads.

The Iliad
Divided into 24 books, the Iliad tells of the wrath of Achilles and its tragic consequences, an episode in the Trojan War. The action is in several sections. Achilles quarrels with Agamemnon over possession of the captive woman Briseis, and Achilles retires from the war to sulk in his tent. The Greek position gradually weakens until Agamemnon offers amendment to Achilles (Books I–IX). Book X tells of an expedition by Odysseus and Diomedes leading to Greek reverses in the war. Thereupon Patroclus, Achilles' friend, is inspired to go into battle wearing Achilles' armor. He is killed by Hector (Books XI–XVII).

Book XVIII tells of the visit of Thetis, mother of Achilles, to comfort her grieving son and of the forging of new armor by Hephaestus for Achilles. Achilles then determines to avenge his friend, kills Hector, buries Patroclus, and finally, at the entreaty of Priam, gives Hector's body to the Trojan hero's aged father (Books XIX–XXIV).