Greek mythology · hero · friendship, sacrifice
Achilles' beloved companion since boyhood, who put on Achilles' own armor to save the burning ships and drove the Trojans back, until Apollo struck him and Hector finished it. His death brings Achilles back to battle, and dooms them both.
With the ships burning, Patroclus begs to wear Achilles's armor and drives the Trojans back almost to their walls. Apollo strikes the armor from him, and Hector finishes it. The news breaks Achilles: grief, then a rage that no wall can hold.