Who is paris iliad

Paris is portrayed as a coward in the original tale. During a duel with Menelaus that could have decided the war, Paris fled. Later, Paris was challenged to a duel by the Greek hero Diomedes, but simply shot him in the foot with an arrow rather than face him. After the Greek hero Achilles slew Hector, the Trojan's greatest hero and brother of Paris, Paris avenged him by shooting at Achilles with his bow and arrow.

With the help of the god Apollo, he wounded Achilles in the heel, his one weak spot. Achilles later died of his injuries. Eventually, the Greek hero Philoctetes mortally wounded Paris in battle. A messenger was sent to Oenone begging her to help him, but she was bitter that he left her and refused. Paris subsequently died. Oenone became remorseful and killed herself. After his death, the prophecy about Paris later came true when Troy was sacked by the Greeks.

Priam, Hecuba and most of the other royals were killed, the exception being his sister Cassandra, who was dragged from the temple by Ajax the Lesser and enslaved although she eventually died at the hands of Clytemnestra. This means that Paris, and by extension Aphrodite, was responsible for the deaths of the entire royal family.

Villains Wiki. Villains Wiki Explore. Top Content. Jester of Chaos BeholderofStuff Valkerone. Pure Evil Terms. Click the character infographic to download. Nothing sums up Paris's status in the Iliad like the end of Book 3. When Menelaos is looking for Paris—whom Aphrodite has carried off to safety—we learn that, even if the Trojans knew where he was, they wouldn't hide him, "since he was hated among them all as dark death is hated" 3.

There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, as we are reminded at the beginning of Book 24, Paris chose Aphrodite over Hera and Athene in a beauty contest, thus setting off a chain of events that led to the Trojan War.

Most notable among these events was the kidnapping of Helen; even though the Iliad takes place long before Gallup polls, we're guessing that the average Trojan was in favor of giving her back.

See the old men's grousing in the beginning of Book 3. Goddess of the hunt, daughter of Zeus, and twin sister of Apollo. Artemis supports the Trojans in the war. The messenger of the gods.

Ace your assignments with our guide to The Iliad! SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. What started the Trojan War? Why does Achilles refuse to fight for the bulk of the poem?

Why does Zeus support the Trojans? Why does Hera defend the Achaeans? Why does Achilles finally rejoin the battle? Important Quotes Explained. Characters Character List. Read an in-depth analysis of Achilles. Read an in-depth analysis of Agamemnon. Odysseus A fine warrior and the cleverest of the Achaean commanders. Menelaus King of Sparta; the younger brother of Agamemnon.

Idomeneus King of Crete and a respected commander. Machaon A healer. Machaon is wounded by Paris in Book Calchas An important soothsayer. Phoenix A kindly old warrior, Phoenix helped raise Achilles while he himself was still a young man. Read an in-depth analysis of Hector. Helen Reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the ancient world, Helen was stolen from her husband, Menelaus, and taken to Troy by Paris. Aeneas A Trojan nobleman, the son of Aphrodite, and a mighty warrior.

Polydamas A young Trojan commander, Polydamas sometimes figures as a foil for Hector, proving cool-headed and prudent when Hector charges ahead. Glaucus A powerful Trojan warrior, Glaucus nearly fights a duel with Diomedes. Agenor A Trojan warrior who attempts to fight Achilles in Book Dolon A Trojan sent to spy on the Achaean camp in Book Pandarus A Trojan archer. Briseis A war prize of Achilles.