Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid are two great classical epics of Greek and Roman mythology. Both poetries convey heroism, pride, love, fate and duty. However, Homer focuses on his hero Achilles at the end of the Trojan War and Virgil focuses on his hero Aeneas after the Trojan War; eventually becomes the founder of a new Roman civilization. Besides the fact that they fight on the opposite sides of the Trojan War, the major difference between these two heroes is their ideas of who they are. Achilles stands as a symbol of self-serving person, while Aeneas is a symbol of self-sacrificing.
Homer portrays Achilles as a selfish and revengeful warrior. Achilles decides not to fight for Greek when king Agamemnon takes his battle prize Briseis away. However, Achilles allows Patroclus to wear his armor. He also instructs Patroclus to drive Trojans back from Achaeans’ ship but not to take over the city as it is only Achilles to win. His selfishness and self pride forbids Patroclus to try to win the battle, even if they can without Achilles’ help. He wants to show King Agamemnon that without Achilles’ help, Achaeans can’t win the battle. Unfortunately, Patroclus disobeys Achilles and pursues the Trojans all the way to the gates of Troy. Apollo wounds Patroclus from behind, which helps Hector to kill him. Achilles becomes revengeful, even though disobeying his instruction makes Patroclus die. To take his revenge, not only Achilles kills Hector, he drags Hector’s body behind the chariot all over the city of Troy. Before Hector dies, he begged Achilles to return his body to the king for a proper burial. But Achilles continues to spoil his body until King Priam comes with ransom and begs for Hector’s dead body. This behavior shows his merciless character. At the end of the Iliad, Greek wins the Trojan War, but Achilles dies. To die in a battle will raise one’s fame. Achilles’