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Question:


dee1goodlife...
Student
High School - 11th Grade

How does the god Apollo help hector kill Achilles' best friend Patroclus?

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Posted by dee1goodlifebangin on Monday November 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM and tagged with achilles, apollo, characters, patroclus.

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  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    In "The Iliad," usually attributed to Homer, Achilles is a great hero among the Achaeans.  At the beginning of the epic, he refuses to help the Achaeans fight agains Troy because he is angry at the king.  As it happens,he will not help fight until his best friend, Patroklos, is killed in battle.

    The actual killer of Patroklos was the Trojan hero Hector.  However, he is only able to kill Patroklos with divine help.  What happens is that Apollo hits Patroklos over the head and knocks his helmet off.  That leads to Hector being able to kill him.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/iliad/books-16-17-summary-analysis

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Monday November 9, 2009 at 4:51 PM