ACHILLES
TROY AND THE TROJAN HORSE

ACHILLES HISTORY LESSON

Directions:

Print the Achilles reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the story silently, then answer the questions about the story that follow.

Excerpt from passage

Achilles was an Ancient Greek hero. Achilles is known as being the reason the Greeks won the Trojan War. Achilles was not like other children. He was a special child because of his parents. His mother, Nereid Thetis was a Goddess. His father, Peleus was a regular man. This meant that Achilles was considered half Greek God.

Achilles' mother wanted to protect her son. To do that she wanted to make sure that he was a God and would live forever. According to Greek legend, Thetis dipped her son into the waters of the river Styx. She held him up by his heel. When she did this, his body became strong enough to be untouchable. The only area on Achilles' body that would be in danger was the part of his heel where she held him when dipping him in the water. This part of his body would later be called the Achilles heel.

Peleus also cared a great deal about the well-being of Achilles. He took Achilles to a famous mentor that was known for teaching heroes all they needed to know. Achilles went to Mount Pelion to study. While he was there, he was fed meat from wild animals that were supposed to give him courage.

Continued...

 

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