The Hero Reborn? Representations of Achilles in Early- Modern Greek Verse Literature

Abstract

Historical and mythological figures from different periods and backgrounds, together with biblical ones, make their appearance in a significant number of medieval works as exempla -a common feature in Byzantine as well as early modem Greek literature. Their names are often used by writers in similes and other figures of speech to highlight the deeds, accomplishments, reactions or personality traits of a character, and it is assumed that the audience/readers are familiar with what they signify. In this paper I will focus solely on the Homeric hero Achilles, investigating what he represents to the medieval Greek world in works that use him as an exemplum or in a similar manner.2