Achilles mourns the death of Patroclus. Performed by Emily Wilson at the International Poetry Forum, 2024. When we say we love someone, we don’t usually say we love them “like my own head.” But this is exactly what Achilles says: Emily Wilson’s “I loved him like my head” is a literal translation of an Ancient Greek idiom. Since this expression is not idiomatic in English, translators have almost always changed “head” (κεφαλῇ) into something more figurative. Richmond Lattimore, who performed at P

The story of Achilles in The Iliad is one of the most famous in history. Generals and soldiers throughout time have tried to replicate this fictional man's power in battle to little avail. Achilles' story of going to war to avenge the death of his best friend (and suggested lover), Patroclus is one for the ages. But what is it about this story that draws people so strongly to Achilles? | Odyssey - Ancient History