What is Achilles?
Achilles was the son of the sea-goddess, Thetis and Peleus, a mere human. Achilles was a mortal being and became nearly immortal when Thetis bathed him in River Styx, the river known to be flowing through the underworld while holding the child by his heel. The heel became the weakest point of Achilles and he could only get injured or die through this weak point. This also gave rise to the idiom ‘Achilles Heels’ meaning weakest point, used in the modern world.
Achilles led the army of the Myrmidons and was the commander-in-charge at the time of the Trojan war. He is known to be a brave soldier, the strongest person, and a responsible leader who led his army and was not afraid to take risks and make decisions. He was emotional and does not fail to express his emotions.
While the Trojan war, Achilles’ parents were against the idea of him going to the war because of the prophecy that state that Achilles would die at Troy. Despite all, Achilles went to war and showed excellent leadership skills. Achilles was a noble and emotional man. His angry personality is used to describe him as he always got angry whenever his goals were unachieved.
What is Agamemnon?
Also known as Atrides, King Agamemnon is the King of an ancient Greek civilization called Mycenae and was the leader of the Achaean army. His parents King Atreus and Queen Aerope, have a younger brother who is Menelaus of Sparta and is married to the world’s most beautiful woman, Helen. Helen was one of the major reasons for the initiation of the Trojan War.
King Agamemnon was married to Helen’s twin sister, Clytemnestra. King Agamemnon and Clytemnestra have four children, the eldest child being a daughter who was sacrificed by the King during the Trojan War. He was selfish, arrogant, and a horrible leader who was respected but not liked by his people. He tried to manipulate people and situations to bend them to his benefit.
King Agamemnon led the Achaean army but always hesitated while making decisions making him a bad leader. He wanted all the attention and credits on the battlefield while everyone worked for him. Though King Agamemnon won the long-lasting 10-year old battle of the Trojan, he was stilled described as inferior when compared to the warrior qualities of Achilles.
Difference Between Achilles and Agamemnon
- Achilles was the commander-in-charge of the Myrmidons while Agamemnon was King of Mycenae, an ancient Greek civilization. Both of them were leaders of their tribe.
- Achilles was the son of the sea goddess, Thetis, and Peleus who was a normal human. King Agamemnon was born to Mycenaen King Atreus and Queen Aerope.
- Achilles was a nearly immortal human, the only part which could be injured in his body was his heels. King Agamemnon was a normal human.
- Both of them were respected by the people. while Achilles was liked by people, king Agamemnon was not.
- Achilles was noble and kind while Agamemnon was arrogant and selfish.
- Agamemnon entirely regarded himself to God’s will while Achilles did not.
Comparison Between Achilles and Agamemnon
| Parameters of Comparison | Achilles | Agamemnon |
| Designation | Commander-in-charge of the Myrmidons. | King of an ancient Greek civilization called Mycenae. |
| Parents | Son of the sea goddess, Thetis, and Peleus, a human. | Son of Queen Aerope and King Atreus. |
| Mortality | Nearly immortal human (Except for his heels) | Mortal human. |
| Personalities | A good, noble, elite, and emotional person. Liked by people. | Arrogant, horrible and has bad leadership qualities. Wasn’t liked by his people. |
| Regards to God | Didn’t regard himself to God’s will entirely | Regarded himself to God’s will entirely |