Achilles Return

Letter from Achaean Theokritus to aged man Theakritos

Father, there I stood behind Achilles and his merry Myrmidons. His return gave me vigor and strength to fight. I saw inspiration in the eyes of my comrades too. We longed to battle alongside our absent hero. Achilles towered in the front of the raging armies. I could not look directly upon him. His blessed armor shone too brightly. His shield, unlike any you could imagine, cast fear into the distant Trojans.

Tension rose as each side anticipated the initial charge. It seemed like the gods would determine the fate of the nine years war on that day, with the long awaited return of Achilles. The seas surged behind us. Zephros shrieked above our heads. The earth trembled as if it would open directly into the Underworld. Tempests brewed in the heavens. Lightning repeatedly flashed on our right side. Xanthos roared as if waiting to swallow slain men and batter their bodies in rapid red currents. Achilles bellowed a wrathful war cry. It sounded as if a greater power than Ares possessed him. The Trojans shuddered. My companions and I grew afraid of the terror Achilles would inflict.

We ran forward to win our glory. Achilles outran us all by at least a spear’s throw, clashing first with Aeneas. Fool that he was to meet Achilles! Fortunately for him, they lost one another in the confusion of battle as thick mist surrounded Aeneas. But in the disorder of battle a warrior shows his true proficiency. In the time that I had avoided a sailing spear, because I kept my eyes on it, Achilles had slain so many. He swiftly danced among the Trojans and delivered unforgiving death. Never before have I seen such relentless ability. Unspeakable was the manner in which Achilles broke the Trojans. His destruction crippled their lines. Their formations faltered and they eventually fled back into their cursed city. Even after the battle had ended, Achilles stomped and bellowed in front of the Trojan gates, unafraid of arrows and spears, beckoning foolish Hector to meet him.

O Father! How blessed I was to fight alongside Achilles!