WHO IS ACHILLES,THE MAIN CHARACTER IN HOMER'S ILLIAD

Achilles is the central character of Homer's Iliad. He was the son of Thetis ( sea goddess/ sea-nymph) and Peleus (King of Phthia). In fact, the story of the Trojan War began in the wedding of Peleus and Thetis.Before going off for the battle, Achilles was given armor and a pair of immortal horses that belonged to his father, Peleus. He was also armed with his teacher's spear that was crafted by Chiron from a tree on Mount Pelion. Before leaving for Troy, his mother, Thetis, had warned him about many things and also had given him significant advice on the basis of her predictions. She had specifically warned Achilles not to kill Tenes, the Trojan son of Apollo. However, Achilles totally forgot about his mother's warning and killed Tenes, thereby earning the wrath of Apollo
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Agamemnon had taken Chryseis, the daughter of a priest, as hostage. He had treated her brutally and abused her. An enraged Achilles had forced Agamemnon to return her to her father. In return, Agamemnon kidnapped Briseis and ill-treated her till Achilles rescued her. After this incident, Achilles refused to participate in the battle. In the absence of their bravest and the most skilled general, the Aegean army suffered enormous setbacks and casualties.Achilles finally re-entered the battlefield after Hector, the first Prince of Troy, killed his cousin, Patroclus. He avenged the death of Patroclus by killing Hector outside the city walls. When King Priam secretly came to the Aegean camp to retrieve his son's, Hector's body, Achilles promised him that there will be no war till Hector's funeral was held. He also sent back Briseis with the king, to her home.Some accounts claim that Achilles died in the temple of Apollo, when Troy was finally ransacked by the Aegean .forces. It is said that he died in the arms of Briseis, whom he was searching for.

Achilles is one of the bravest legendary heroes of all time. He is renowned for his extreme skills, valor and bravery. He possessed very rare qualities like respect for women and captured prisoners. He also honored the dead and paid them his full respect. His death was mourned by the Aegean army as well as the Trojans. Even the gods are said to have mourned his death.

Upon the death of Achilles, Odysseus, describes him, and pays his final respect with the following words.
"If they ever tell my story
let them say that I walked with giants.
Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die.
Let them say I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of horses.
Let them say I lived in the time of Achilles.