In Homer’s The Iliad there appears to be some controversy over who the true epic hero might be. We have heard many arguments supporting Achilles as the Epic Hero, and since The Iliad does indeed say “The Story of Achilles” I believe that Achilles is an easy character for people to associate as the epic hero. Although many people have cited Achilles as having superhuman strength and various other physical attributes, he appears to be lacking the qualities of a real Homeric Epic Hero. A Homeric Epic Hero must demonstrate all of the following three requirements in order for them to truly be considered an Epic Hero. A character must believe that men have to stand together in battle; men had to respect each other; and they had to refrain from excessive cruelty. This last condition was considered to be critically important for the Epic Hero. A true Epic Hero loathed deliberate acts of cruelty, defamation, and injustice. An Epic Hero believed that if they were to kill an opponent it must be done quickly. There was to be no mutilation of any kind because it reflected poorly upon the victor and the victor’s community. In the following paragraphs you will see how Achilles breaks all thre

Achilles decides not to fight for Agamemnon or the Greeks for nine books. During that same time he breaks the second rule/requirement of an Epic Hero. After Agamemnon disgraces Achilles by taking his war prize, Briseis, from him; Achilles is filled with complete rage. Achilles even draws his sword to take arms against Agamemnon, but is stopped short by a god who makes him change his mind. The antagonistic relationship between Agamemnon and Achilles appears to be on a subconscious level because both men are very proud and on a quest for being immortalized in history. Agamemnon does not appear to take Briseis in spite of Achilles. Agamemnon feels that it is his lawful right to take Briseis, since he is the commanding officer of the Greeks, and his war prize had to be returned. Also, Achilles’ anger towards Agamemnon appears to be justifiable because Agamemnon, whether intentionally or not did indeed disgrace Achilles. Achilles does not break the second rule/requirement of an Epic Hero until he decides to draw his sword, in hopes of regaining some respect by fighting Agamemnon. At this point there is no longer an antagonistic relationship between Agamemnon and Achilles because Achilles consciously chooses to draw his sword against Agamemnon. By drawing his sword against a superior officer Achilles officially breaks the second rule/requirement of and Epic Hero; men had to respect each other. Some might argue that because Agamemnon disrespected Achilles; Achilles had the right to now disrespect Agamemnon. This was not the philosophy of an Epic Hero; eye for an eye. An Epic Hero was supposed to be above pettiness, but as we’ve seen in books one through nine, we know that Achilles is neither mature nor reasonable. Achilles leaves his men, which breaks rule one, and then he proceeds to draw his sword on Agamemnon, which breaks rule two.

The third, and possibly, the most important rule/requirement of an Epic Hero was that he did not show cruelty or injustice on the battlefield. Before Achilles and Hector begin to fight Hector asks Achilles that if he is killed will Achilles send his body back to Troy for a proper burial. Achilles is in such a fit of rage that he denies Hector of his last wish and begins fighting. The battle between Achilles and Hector ends with Achilles claiming victory. Upon defeating

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