Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I stand to defend my client, Achilles, who has been blamed for causing deaths of many Greeks during the Trojan war. My client, Achilles, is the son of sea goddess Thetis and Peleus, a mortal husband. Homer describes Achilles is the most influential leader of Myrmidons, who fights many victorious battles. Achilles is directly connected to gods, making it incredibly dangerous to annoy him. Achilles is semi-divine, and when he gets offended, there is a high chance that great destruction could occur, which cannot be blamed on him. Therefore, the damage and loss that occurs when a warrior with semi-divine power withdraw from war should not be blamed on the individual since there power is beyond their control.
Jury members, it is without a doubt that anger disturbs the distance between humans and gods in Illiad, leading to the destruction of an orderly relationship and upset actions between gods and humans. However, Achilles' actions were meant to bring systematic relationships in the camp, which is essential in winning the battle. Just like any other human being, Achilles had the reason to get angry after knowing the truth behind the plague that was killing soldiers. Also, any other person could have acted similarly when their most valued gift of war is taken away from them. Across book 1, Achilles wanted to know the reason behind the plagues that were killing soldiers, yet those in authority were not willing to act. At some point, Achilles succeeded in returning the order at Achaian camp, but the order was disrupted when it became known that Agamemneos was responsible for the deadly diseases. Achilles had sufficient reasons to get angry and leave the Achaean army after the plague, and his decision was not the cause of the massive deaths of Greeks during the war. When he withdrew from the war, Achilles never took soldiers or other weapons of war with him; therefore, he cannot be blamed for the death of Greeks.
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Dear jury, pride, and honor are essential principles of Greeks, especially for leaders and heroes, since the trait involves public perception. When Achilles revealed pride and honor during the compromised decision involving the two women captives is acceptable. Achilles' reason for leaving the battlefield cannot be labeled as pride since any soldier could have acted in a similar war after snatching of valued war price. Later, when Agamemnon is forced to release his captive, he decided to take Briseis from Achilles, an act that angered him, making him refrain from fighting. Achilles cannot thus be blamed for leaving camp and the subsequent loss of battles, which led to the death of many Greeks. If Achilles was allowed to keep his war prize, he could have stopped the Trojan from defeating and killing hundreds of Greeks. Therefore, across books 1, 6, and 9, the action of Achilles to withdraw from the war was not contributed by his pride and anger; instead, it was a reasonable way of avoiding more conflicts. As a warrior and hero, Achilles had all the right and reasons to refuse later offers, which compromised his honor. Achilles cannot thus be blamed for the loss of the Trojan war, which killed many Greeks.
My client is not responsible for the loss of Greeks by indulging in his fear and anger. Even after exiting the war, Achilles tried to help the Achaean warriors to prevent massive deaths from the Trojans. Across book 16, when the Trojans reached Achean ships and intended to set them on fire and strands, the Greeks on the shores. As a way of helping the warriors and avoiding the death of innocent people, Achilles sent Patroclus out to lead the team and drive the Trojans away. The plan was only to draw the Trojans away and return to their campo. Achilles warned the troop not to go after the Trojans, but they failed to follow his advice, a mistake that later caused the death of many Greeks. If the team had headed to the advice given on them by my client, they could have averted the loss of many Greeks; therefore, my client is not responsible for mass destruction.
Across chapters sixteen to nineteen, it is evidential that my client’s actions were not driven by anger and pride. The decision of Achilles to return to the war was made out of sympathy and love for his country. Achilles knew the decision was fatal and that the fall of Troy was inevitable. According to Achilles, the scheme suggested by Patroklos was a perfect solution to end his dilemma between elements of his soul to save his fellow soldiers and obsessive sense of honor. The statement of Achilles, "I've lost the will to live," signified his return to battle, having forgiven and reconciled with Agamemnon. It shows that Achilles was no longer driven by anger and pride when he chose to return to fight Trojans. The death of Potroklos in chapter 18 signified the high risk that Achilles had taken in pursuit of Trojans and revenge against the killers of his best friend. In chapter 19, after receiving the new armor, Achilles assembled all Achaian army and announced the end of the conflict with King Agamemnon, and he was ready to lead them in war. Therefore, Achilles was committed to saving lives during the last battles, and he did not contribute to the deaths of Greeks during the war. In his last war, Achilles' focus was not to collect gifts; instead, he focused on defeating Trojans. Achilles cannot thus be blamed for the results of war where hundreds of Greeks lost their lives; in every war, there have to be deaths and casualties.
