
to avoid a war, patroclus’ father exiles patroclus to the kingdom of phthia. in retaliation, patroclus pushes clysonymus, and watches in horror as his head hits a stone and cracks open, causing his death. One day while ten-year-old patroclus is outside playing with dice, a highborn boy named clysonymus appears and bullies patroclus. patroclus says that achilles is unlike anyone patroclus has ever met or seen. when achilles refuses, patroclus leaps at achilles, but is quickly subdued. patroclus is so mesmerized and moved by achilles’ grace and sword- and spear-wielding skills, he asks achilles to fight him. one afternoon, achilles lets patroclus watch him train, an honor only few people had been given. after some time, patroclus becomes accustomed to his friendship with achilles and the new privileges that friendship brings. that night, achilles teaches patroclus how to juggle before they go to bed.

before achilles goes, he informs patroclus of a prophecy that states he will be the best warrior of his generation.Īchilles invites patroclus to sleep in his room. after peleus gives his blessing, achilles informs patroclus that he must go train. a brother-in-arms is sworn to a prince by blood oath and love, and becomes the prince’s most trusted adviser.

Peleus agrees to let patroclus be achilles’s therapon, or brother-in-arms. later that night, achilles informs patroclus that he will be leaving in the morning to become chiron’s student. on his way back to the palace, patroclus is approached by an enraged thetis who tells patroclus that she saw the kiss and that achilles will be leaving the palace. patroclus, filled with shame, watches as achilles runs away. One day while on the beach with achilles, patroclus kisses him. patroclus asks achilles if he likes the servant girl, and achilles angrily pushes patroclus and says he’s tired of talking about her. achilles says he is too tired tonight, but maybe some other time. before they bid peleus goodnight, peleus suggests that achilles look for a servant girl to sleep with. while peleus tells the story, achilles plays with patroclus’ feet. as a result, the city of calydon was attacked. one night, peleus tells achilles and patroclus the story of meleager, who was the strongest warrior of his time, and how he refused to fight after the king of calydon declined to give meleager his riches.

their bodies change, and they notice the other boys in the palace begin sleeping with women.
