In Homer’s Iliad, Patroclus was Achilles’ closest companion during the Trojan War.
Patroclus is portrayed as an older, more compassionate companion to the fierce Achilles. When Achilles withdraws from battle after quarrelling with Agamemnon, Patroclus wears Achilles’ armor and leads the Myrmidons against the Trojans.
His success initially drives the Trojans back, but he goes beyond Achilles’ instructions. Apollo disorients him, Euphorbus wounds him, and Hector delivers the fatal blow. Hector then takes Achilles’ armor from his body.
Patroclus’s death changes the course of the epic. Grief-stricken, Achilles returns to battle, kills Hector, and briefly overwhelms the Trojan forces. Patroclus is therefore central to the Iliad’s emotional structure, even though Achilles remains its main hero.