welpt:

itmightrain:

You ever think about that part in the Iliad when Phoenix (Achilles’ father figure) goes to Achilles and Patroclus’ tent to ask Achilles to rejoin the war. Phoenix tells them the story of Meleager, a man from the ancient time of heroes who once became fed up with fighting and chose instead to spend his time at home with his beloved wife. No one could persuade him to return to war no matter how needed until finally his wife, moved by the suffering of their people, took up the cause herself.

And Phoenix is pretending he is telling this story for Achilles, to remind him of his duty. But really the story is for Patroclus, who is sitting with them during this conversation, to remind him of the power of a wife to move a husband to action when all others fail.

And then later when the Trojans are attacking and Patroclus is tending the wounded he goes “let an aide attend you here while I rush back to Achilles, spur him into combat. Who knows? With a god’s help I just might rouse him now, bring his fighting spirit round at last. The persuasion of a comrade has its powers.”

And he goes to Achilles and Achilles says, “Why in tears, Patroclus? […] Weeping over the Argives, are you? Seeing them die against the hollow ships, repaid for their offenses? Out with it now! Don’t harbor it deep inside you. We must share it all.”

And Patroclus tells him, “You are intractable, Achilles! Pray god such anger never seizes me, such rage you nurse. […] You heart of iron! He was not your father, the horseman Peleus–Thetis was not your mother. Never. The salt gray sunless ocean gave you birth and the towering blank rocks–your temper’s so relentless. […] at least send me into battle, quickly.”

And Homer writes “And moved now to his depths, the famous runner [Achilles] cried, "No, no, my prince, Patroclus, what are you saying? […] Enough. Let bygones be bygones now. Done is done. How on earth can a man rage on forever?”

I just think its neat.

Meleager’s wife was called Cleopatra, and if you didn’t know… Cleopatra and Patroclus are the same name