Achilleid

The Achilleid is an unfinished epic poem by the Roman poet Statius. It was intended to be a three-book work detailing the life and deeds of the Greek hero Achilles. Statius only completed the first two books and part of the third before his death. The poem is written in dactylic hexameter, the traditional meter of epic poetry.

The Achilleid begins with Achilles' youth, focusing on his upbringing by Chiron, the centaur, and his divine lineage through his mother, the sea nymph Thetis. Statius emphasizes Achilles' martial prowess and his destiny as a warrior. The poem then moves to his participation in the Trojan War, though the narrative is cut short before the height of his exploits.

Scholars have analyzed the Achilleid for its literary style, its engagement with earlier Greek and Roman epics, and its exploration of themes such as fate, glory, and the nature of heroism. Despite its incompleteness, the Achilleid is considered a significant work of Silver Age Latin poetry. It offers a unique perspective on a well-known mythological figure, delving into aspects of his life often less emphasized in other accounts. The poem's unfinished state has also led to speculation about Statius's original intentions and the potential trajectory of the epic.