In Homer’s Iliad, the Greek warrior Patroclus killed the Trojan ally Sarpedon.
Sarpedon was a son of Zeus and a major ally of Troy. During the fighting described in the Iliad, he led Lycian forces on the Trojan side. Patroclus entered battle wearing Achilles’ armor and drove the Greeks forward after persuading Achilles to let him fight in his place.
Patroclus and Sarpedon met in combat near the Greek defensive works. Patroclus struck Sarpedon with a spear, killing him. Zeus watched his son’s death but did not save him, because the gods had accepted that Sarpedon’s fate required his death.
The episode is important because Patroclus’ success leads to his own death. After killing Sarpedon, Patroclus continues fighting and is eventually killed by Hector with divine assistance. Achilles then returns to battle to avenge Patroclus, changing the course of the poem.