14 Patroclus Puts on the Armor

CHAPTER 14 Patroclus Puts on the Armor Patroclus went to see Achilles when he returned from the battlefield. He needed to tell his dear friend about the destruction he had seen. "What is wrong?" Achilles asked his friend Patroclus, who was weeping. "What did you see on the battlefield?" "I cannot describe how terrible it is, my lord," Patroclus said. "Diomedes, Odysseus, and Agamemnon are all injured. The Achaeans have been driven back to the ships. The Trojans are closing in. They will soon

destroy the ships and finish our army for good!" Achilles said nothing in reply. Patroclus looked Achilles in the eye. "Nothing moves you, does it? Your rage still controls you. You cannot see past it." Patroclus was angry. "I cannot believe that Thetis is your mother or Peleus is your father," he said. "You have none of their strength and courage. You must come out and help defend your fellow soldiers." Achilles finally replied. "Let us put an end to this argument. I cannot go to battle. I swore I would join only when the fighting reached the ships. That is my final word." "If you will not go to battle, let me go in your place. I will help defend our army and our ships," Patroclus said. Back at the ships, Ajax and his fellow generals were struggling to keep the Trojans away. Hector had climbed aboard Ajax's ship

with some of his best soldiers. He battled Ajax toe to toe while his soldiers took care of Ajax's men. The two mighty generals exchanged fierce blows. Ajax lunged at Hector with his spear. Hector sidestepped and chopped off the top of Ajax's spear with one clean swoop of his sword. He had little hope now for the safety of his ship. He knew that this was the work of the gods. Trojans on shore set arrows on fire, shooting them at the ships. Ajax's ship went up in flames. Hector and his men quickly left the ship and rowed back to shore, watching it burn. From his own ship, a few miles out at sea, Achilles saw Ajax's ship burn. At last, he understood why Patroclus had to join the battle. "Strap on my gear and lead the men," Achilles said to Patroclus with urgency. "If the Trojans see my armor, they will be filled

with fear. Go now! We cannot let the rest of the ships burn. Go and strike fear into the hearts of all Trojans." Patroclus put on his friend's armor and grabbed his shield. The armor was made of heavy, strong bronze. It was well polished and shone brightly in the strong sunlight. The helmet sat high on the head of Patroclus. Bright red feathers adorned the top. But he did not take Achilles's sword. It was too heavy for anyone but Achilles to lift. Only Achilles was skilled enough to use it. Patroclus entered the battle with bravery and might. The Trojans were shocked to see the armor. They thought Achilles had returned to battle. Some even tried to run away. These men feared the great Achilles. Patroclus gained strength by wearing Achilles's armor and seeing the Trojans' fear. He landed a spear and killed a Trojan first thing. Many Achaeans, also thinking Achilles

had joined them, followed him. They trapped a troop of Trojans led by Zeus's favorite son, Sarpedon, against one of the ships. They had no place to go and could not make their way back to Troy. Patroclus and the Achaean men mowed down the troop. Sarpedon was horrified to see so many of his men fall. He leaped from his chariot to the ground, fully armed. Patroclus saw him and jumped down from his chariot, too. They rushed at each other and shouted to the heavens. Zeus, looking down from his throne, said to Hera: "My cruel fate! The son I love most will soon die at the hands of Patroclus. My heart is torn in two. Shall I pluck him up now, while he's still alive, and set him down someplace safe? Or do I let him find his fate with Patroclus?" "Zeus," Hera replied, "what will the gods think if you interfere in the name of your

son? Many gods have sons fighting in the battle. You cannot show favor to your own family." Patroclus and Sarpedon fought on viciously. Finally, Patroclus hit Sarpedon, who did not go down quietly. Sarpedon continued to rage and shout orders to Glaucus, one of his men. "Do not lose faith! And do not let them strip my body of armor." Then he closed his eyes and spoke no more. Glaucus was grief-stricken. He rushed to the slain body of Sarpedon. He tried to protect his friend and prevent his armor from being stripped from his body, but Patroclus was too quick. The Achaean began tossing weapons and bronze to his comrades. Zeus stepped in to retrieve his son's body. He struck fear in all the men so that they would move away from Sarpedon. Then Zeus carried his favorite son's body up to the