Achilles’ Heel

After eight years of war, the defenders of Troy could feel the Greek noose tightening around them. The countryside around the city had been devastated, and most of the outlying towns sacked. Yet allies still rallied to their defense.

None could stand against Achilles. Yet Achilles own end was now near. As he pursued the Trojans again, Paris loosed an arrow at him. The god Apollo himself guided the shaft, and the poisoned tip struck the Greek in the heel, the only vulnerable part of his body. Before he could remove the venomous shaft, Achilles succumbed to the poison. With a terrible cry, Achilles died.