The Iliad is an epic historical account written in verse and attributed to an author we today call Homer. Some specialists consider Homer to have been a woman or a committee or a random collection of legends, but mainstream tradition regards him as a man, probably illiterate and possibly blind, living along the western coast of what is today Turkey. The location on the map is thought to be the place in which the location of the setting of most of this epic could have been. Multiple digs have led to this being an area of interest and possibly the area where Patroclus died. The Iliad is considered to be one of the earliest masterworks of world literature, and it was enormously influential in Greek and Roman thought and in all the later societies influenced by the Classical Mediterranean world. Although The Iliad is the first great Western epic, it is seen simply as a work of art that truly exemplifies even us in modern times and what we still might hold true. In the Iliad, the two heroes have a deep and meaningful relationship. Achilles is tender towards Patroclus, while he is callous and arrogant towards others. These characterizations of these people is what leads them to do what they do, and helps to run the themes throughout more smoothly. (Donlan, 1970) This raises questions between modern and even contemporary readers of the epic as to the true nature of their relationship. This painting, Achilles Displaying the Body of Hector at the Feet of Patroclus, by Jean Joseph Taillason, is indeed innocent though and shows the grief and pain of Achilles at the death of someone that he held dear to his heart. The relationship of any two men within an epic being more than explicitly stated is not a new idea. Many even like to argue the possible relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu- even though nothing was done in that epic to raise queries. The strong bond between Achilles and Patroclus was an essential and necessary piece to the puzzle of this particular story though, as it moved it along and helped drive home one of the main themes within in the epic that we enjoy and praise even to this day. Achilles was truly heartbroken when he learned of Patroclus' death. In the epic, this is said to be what he does after finding out: "Achilles speeds from tent to tent, and warms/His hardy Myrmidons to blood and arms./All breathing death, around the chief they stand,/A grim, terrific, formidable band..."Homer. (1899). He is obviously upset being that one of the people he cared for the most is now gone, and grief is something that everyone can relate to and helps to bring a more human aspect to Achilles.
 

Donlan, Walter. "CHARACTER STRUCTURE IN HOMER'S ILIAD." The Journal of General Education 21.4 (1970): 259-69. Web.

Homer. "Book 16: The Sixth Battle, the Acts and Death of Patroclus." N.p., 1899. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.