Portfolio: οικογένεια (Family)

Paris, a Prince of Troy,  looked at her with lustful eyes, his desire overcoming any love for his country. Helen, the Queen of Sparta, stood there with tense shoulders aware of his staring and malintent. Then he walked over to her waving his shoulders as if he was the King of Sparta. But before he could say anything she slapped him across the face so hard that it left a red handprint across his face and she fled back to her true love, the King of Sparta, Menelaus. Paris, filled with rage and unfulfilled lust, began to plan his revenge, and from the corner of his eye he noticed a child, Lucious, the child of Helen and Menelaus. In that moment, his mind was made up and in the blink of an eye he acted. Hector, the future King of Troy and brother to Paris, and the Trojans began their journey back unknowing of the kidnapped child in the lower deck of the ship. And soon they sailed far away before anyone noticed that the child was gone.

Menelaus, filled with rage, burst through the door of his brother's war room as Agamemnon was discussing battle plans with his generals. "He's gone. Those thieves took my child." This was the chance Agamemnon was longing for. He had been looking for the opportunity to attack the Trojans, but had never been able to get the Kings of Greece together to do so. He sent out messenger after messenger to all of the Kings of Greece asking them to fulfill their promise of protecting the Queen Helen and her child. And after months of preparation Agamemnon and the Kings of Greece set sail, with the largest fleet the world had ever seen, for the largest war the world would ever know.

Then there was Achilles, the greatest warrior in the world, and his cousin Patroclus whom he loved dearly. The war had been going on for three years now, the Greeks gaining ground slowly, but losing many men in the process. Achilles, who had been protecting his cousin from battle, knew that soon enough he would not be able to continue to do so. He knew that if he was to leave Greece he would be leaving his best chance at eternal glory. This was not an easy choice, but he knew what he must do. He was not willing to risk the life of his cousin Patroclus, whom he loved more than even himself. Patroclus was furious at this decision, believing he was ready to fight and if it be to die. He had been secretly training with soldiers in other camps and seeing the struggles of battle. Filled with grief at the sacrifice his fellow Greeks were making, he knew he could not leave and had decided exactly what he was going to do.

(Battle in Iliad)

The day before they were to leave, Patroclus snuck out of his tent and prepared for the upcoming battle that was to ensue. And so hiding himself among the battalion of troops he went to battle, not knowing of his fate and willing to give his life for his King. The battle began. Patroclus, kin of Achilles was a natural-born killer. He killed dozens and fought bravely, but the forces were outmatched and were slowly being pushed back by Trojans cavalry. Not willing to leave his friend behind, he stayed to hold off men while fellow Greeks were able to escape, and he was captured. Thrown with the other captives, he slowly was dragged back to Troy. The news soon returned to Achilles of the bravery of a long-blonde-haired soldier who killed bravely and was captured. He did not care though. He went to Patroclus' tent to let him know that it was time, but he found it empty. His mind was racing as to where he might have gone and then it hit him. Patroclus was the soldier. Achilles knowing of Patroclus' deep desire to gain glory in battle knew that must have been him. This grieved Achilles deeply, and he planned his rescue of Patroclus.

(shows men using weapons)

Achilles, taking advantage of the full assault planned by Agamemnon on the front gates of Troy, joined in secretly with the forces. Soon the battle began. For hours the armies fought valiantly until the Greeks with Achilles at the helm pushed forward and continued to do so, barraging the front gate of Troy with sheer force. Soon the gate was useless and broken in by the Greeks and they stormed into Troy. Achilles began his search and soon with his overtaking speed was far ahead of the Greek army and already up to the King's Palace. His ferociousness and rage driven emotion was overtaking anybody who was willing to stand in his path.

Then in the courtyard he saw his cousin standing in chains next to the heroic Trojan warrior Hector. Hector was waiting for Achilles as soon as he had heard that the cousin of Achilles had been captured. He knew Achilles would come for his beloved Patroclus. And the fight began, the fight that would be spoken of for centuries. Both soldiers so skilled with a blade, continued to lunge at each other with their swords, hoping to end the life of the other and receive eternal glory. Patroclus was fearful of what was to become of his cousin, but Achilles was better, faster, and stronger than Hector. After minutes of fighting, Achilles found his mark and with one swing of the blade struck Hector down.

(Achilles slays Hector)

He cut Patroclus free of his chains and they began to flee. Soon they had run all the way outside of the city. Both men, exhausted, embraced each other with the love that only family could have. Their fate was not yet decided, but what is true of these men was that the love of family could not be so easily destroyed and it shows how far one will go for those whom he loves.

Author's Note: This story was influenced by Homer's Iliad which tells the story of the war between Greece and Troy. King Agamemnon, obsessed with power, used whatever he could to attack Troy and baited Achilles to fight with the idea of eternal glory.  It tells of the great fight between Hector and Achilles and Hector's demise. And finally it tells of Achille's anger about Briseis, then reconciliation with Agamemnon after the death of Patroclus. This story shows the heroism of Hector and sacrifice for his family and of the great warrior Achilles. One major change I decided to make is the switch of family love between Hector and Achilles because I thought it would bring a different taste of the characters. I made two other important changes to this story. First, to make it show Achilles' love for his family I made Patroclus his cousin. Second, instead of Patroclus dying he was captured and used as bait by Hector to lure Achilles to him. I chose the image I did because it is simple and shows men fighting amongst each other. My overall goal for this story was to bring to life the idea of what we would do for our family and the sacrifice that I believe we would all be willing to make for those closest to us. I want this project to show the significance and desperation that love gets us. That will be the main theme of this portfolio and these stories when I change them: love and sacrifice.

Bibliography: Homer's Iliad by A.J. Church; link to story