MYRMIDON (soldier of Achilles)

Located in Phthia where Peleus resided, the Myrmidons were the people who followed Peleus during his exile from Aegina, where he was described as a counsellor and orator among them.^4,8,9,10 Upon arrival, they greeted their new ruler as their king, and he divided the city and lands among them.³ They were the first people to install thwarts in ships with curved sides and the first to use sails on sea-going ships, which were described as the wings of a sea-going ship.¹¹ The Myrmidon youths engaged in a race to fetch water, carrying full-brimming jars on their shoulders and striving for victory with swift feet.¹²

As a group of warriors, they sailed to the war, with their ships and tents located near the shore of the sea.^6,13,14 Achilles, son of Peleus, and Patroclus commanded the troops, whom Achilles described as famed horsemen.^5,15 Menesthius led the first company, Eudorus the second, Pisander the third, Phoenix the fourth, and Alcimedon the fifth.⁷ When Achilles refused to fight, the Myrmidons were instructed to follow Patroclus into battle.^16,17 Achilles planned to send his comrade to lead the Myrmidons in combat and prayed for them to return unharmed after fighting.¹⁸ Patroclus and Automedon prepared to lead the Myrmidons into battle.^19,18

The Myrmidons swarmed out of their vessels with intense rage and courage, and their battle cry rose high into the heavens during the attack.⁵ Their hearts were filled with irresistible strength like a tempest when following Achilles.²⁰ They were proposed to fight to drive the Trojans back from the ships, and they helped the Greeks gain breathing space during the fight.^21,20 Epeigeus, a top warrior of the group, was killed by Hector with a stone to the head, which caused the Trojans to initially gain ground against them.²² Bathycles, the wealthiest member of the group, was killed by Glaucus with a spear to the chest.²² The Myrmidons fought desperately to secure the body of Sarpedon, strengthening their battalions and shouting fiercely.²³ They held the reins of the horses that belonged to Sarpedon and kept the horses calm after their master was killed.²⁴ They were expected to strip the fallen Sarpedon of his armor and treat his body with contempt.²⁵ Ares brought a day of mourning upon the Myrmidons.²⁶ The Myrmidons removed the armor from the body of the slain Memnon.²⁷

The Myrmidons gathered around Achilles to mourn Patroclus throughout the night.^28,29 They carried Patroclus and covered his body with their cut hair.¹ Achilles ordered the Myrmidons to stay near the body of Patroclus and instructed them to mourn with their horses and chariots.¹⁵ They extinguished the glowing embers of the pyre using wine.³⁰ When viewing the new divine armor, the Myrmidons felt awe and fear, and none of them dared to look directly at the shining armor.³¹ The Myrmidon leaders gathered around Achilles' squire, and Achilles encouraged the Myrmidons and their horses.³² Achilles ordered the Myrmidons to put on their armor and yoke their horses.^32,1 The Myrmidons mounted their chariots and followed the chariots on foot in large numbers.¹ Neoptolemus helped the Myrmidons and Greeks during their difficult situation, and Achilles' son urged the Myrmidons to fight bravely to heal Argos and defeat its enemies.^33,34,35 The Myrmidons fought hard to defend their country's walls.³⁶ They returned home safely after the war.³⁷