75 Classical Myths Condensed From Their Primary Sources by David Mulroy

Author:David Mulroy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cognella, Inc.
Published: 2012-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

55. Achilles on Scyros

Source: Statius, The Achilleid (Roman)

Statius invokes the help of the Muse and Apollo to tell the entire story of Achilles from his hiding on the island of Scyros to his death at Troy.26

Thetis sees Paris returning to Troy with Helen. Knowing the danger that this poses to her son, Thetis tries—and fails—to persuade Neptune to sink Paris’s ship. Then she goes to Achilles’ teacher, Chiron the centaur, in the wilds of Thessaly. She claims that she needs to take Achilles with her to perform a magical rite of purification. Achilles arrives from the hunt with his friend, Patroclus, embraces his mother, and falls asleep hugging Chiron. Thetis decides to take him to the island of Scyros, where the daughters of the king of Lycomedes are being raised. It is less warlike than other possible hiding places. Thetis summons her dolphin-drawn chariot, picks up Achilles in his sleep, and rides with him over the waves.

When Achilles wakes, Thetis explains that she wants him to put on girls’ clothing, and hide from the Greeks among the island’s princesses. These girls happen to be playing near the seashore. Achilles sees Deidamia, who is by far the loveliest, and is set aflame with desire for the first time. For this reason, he goes along with his mother’s plan. She instructs him on how to look feminine and takes him to King Lycomedes. She introduces Achilles as “Achilles’ sister,” and asks Lycomedes to take over “her” upbringing, since she herself is kept busy with her son, Achilles. Lycomedes is happy to do so.

Meanwhile war fever has gripped all of Greece because of Paris’s crime. The Greek warriors gather at Aulis. They are distressed because Achilles is not present. Even as Chiron’s young pupil, Achilles has become famous. They consult their seer, Calchas, on Achilles’ whereabouts. He has a vision of the truth, that Achilles is hiding on Scyros, disguised as a girl. Diomedes and Ulysses volunteer to get him.

Back on Scyros, Deidamia has begun to suspect Achilles’ secret. He constantly gazes at her, seeks her company, playfully pelts her with flowers, and pokes her with his thyrsus. He gives her lessons on the lyre, and works at weaving under her direction. The truth comes out when he and Lycomedes’ daughters observe a festival of Bacchus in a secret grove in the woods. No men are allowed. In the still of the night, Achilles takes advantage of the darkness and solitude to rape Deidamia. Her screams wake her sisters, but they interpret the noise as a signal to dance in Bacchus’s honor and do so. Achilles persuades Deidamia not to reveal what has happened. Only her nurse is told the truth, and she helps Deidamia conceal her pregnancy and the birth of a child.

Ulysses and Diomedes arrive on Scyros. They claim to be studying the approaches to Troy in preparation for the Greek invasion. Lycomedes gives them a banquet. Deidamia can barely keep Achilles from revealing himself, while Ulysses speaks of the glorious warfare that is about to start.

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