Question

Achilles killed Memnon in glorious combat, last battle. He fell behind the Scaean gates.Driven Trojans to wall of Troy. There Paris shot an arrow at him and Apollo guided it so that it struck his foot in the one spot where he could be wounded, his heel. Mother, Thetis, intended to make him invulnerable by dipping him in River Styx, but forgot that the river did not cover the part of the foot by which she was holding him. Achilles died and Ajax carried boy out of battle while Odysseus held Trojans back. After had had been burned, bones placed in same urn that held his friend Patroclus.

Answer 1

Achilles, the hero of the Trojan War, met his demise when Paris, guided by Apollo, struck his vulnerable heel with an arrow.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the mythical narrative of the Trojan War, Achilles, the Greek hero, played a pivotal role in the conflict. His ultimate downfall occurred during the last battle, near the Scaean gates of Troy. Achilles had successfully driven the Trojans back to the walls of their city, showcasing his unparalleled combat prowess. However, it was in this moment that Paris, aided by the god Apollo, launched a fateful arrow at Achilles.

Achilles, believed to be invulnerable due to his mother Thetis' attempt to make him so by dipping him in the River Styx, had a fatal flaw—his heel. Thetis held him by the heel while immersing him in the river, and this small, overlooked part of his body remained vulnerable. In a tragic turn of events, Paris's arrow found its mark, guided by Apollo to strike Achilles in the one spot where he could be wounded—the heel. This wound proved to be fatal, ultimately leading to Achilles' demise.

After his death, the Greek hero's body was carried out of the battlefield by Ajax, while Odysseus held the Trojans at bay. Following the funeral rites, Achilles' bones were placed in the same urn that held the remains of his close friend Patroclus, emphasizing their deep bond even in death.

Answer 2

Achilles met his demise during the last battle when Paris, guided by Apollo, shot an arrow at his heel—the only vulnerable spot on his body.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the epic poem "The Iliad" by Homer, Achilles, the great Greek hero, faced his tragic end during the Trojan War. Paris, a prince of Troy, aimed an arrow at Achilles' heel—a spot believed to be his only vulnerability. The intervention of Apollo, the Greek god associated with archery and prophecy, played a crucial role in guiding Paris's shot. According to the myth, Achilles' mother Thetis had dipped him in the River Styx to make him invulnerable. However, she held him by the heel, leaving that small area unprotected. This prophetic weakness ultimately led to Achilles' downfall.

The intervention of Apollo is significant in this narrative. In Greek mythology, gods often played active roles in mortal affairs. Apollo, favoring the Trojans, guided Paris's hand to target Achilles' vulnerable heel. The symbolism of the heel as the only weak point adds a tragic dimension to Achilles' fate, emphasizing the capriciousness of destiny. The story of Achilles' demise serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of divine favor, human vulnerability, and the intricate interplay between mortal and immortal forces in the ancient Greek worldview.

Complete Question:

How did Achilles meet his demise during the last battle, particularly involving an arrow shot by Paris and the intervention of Apollo?