Achilles is the main character in the Iliad. He is a very powerful and feared warrior, who fought in the Trojan War. King Agamemnon affronted him and this has caused his wrath. Thus, the story begins. Wartime is said to bring out the best and worst of men. This paper is written to prove that Achilles is not the ideal Greek warrior.
             The ideal Greek warrior in the Iliad must embody the following: aristos-the goal of being recognized as the best; aristeia- warrior prestige; arête- the most important thing is what others think of you; and kleos- to be able to attain fame and glory. A hero has to have military prowess-the skill and courage to conquer or to fend themselves from invaders. He must also be loyal to friends and comrades. The Greeks gave their warriors no room for pride because they have to accept everything as Fate. Attaining glory is more important than life itself. Honor and status is gained through respect from other people or from material possessions. He should have the courage to risk one's own life not to let one's family and comrades down. A warrior must respect authority, both governmental and religious. The final requirement of being a hero is coolness. Heroes are not permitted to be blinded by rage or have mood swings. Achilles did not have arête because he did not care what others thought of him because his excessive pride prevented him to do so. Like in book 16, Patroclus begged him to rejoin the war because his comrades were already dying and some of the best Achaean warriors were already injured and yet he refused to help them. As a warrior, Achilles has the responsibility to defend and protect his countrymen. In book one, Achilles openly defies Agamemnon, insulting him and calling him a shameless cheater and a drunk, and if not because of Athena's intervention, he would have killed Agamemnon. In the same book, though he followed Athena's order not to kill Agamemnon, Achille...