Social Studies Reading Lesson · Ancient Greece · Grades 4–7
Achilles and the Trojan War
A reading lesson on Achilles, the half-mortal Greek hero whose story is at the center of the Trojan War. Students learn the legend of his invulnerable body, his training as a warrior, his rage at Agamemnon, his revenge for Patroclus, and his fated death at Troy.
Subject
Social Studies / Ancient History
Grades
4–7
Skill Focus
Greek mythology, Trojan War, ancient history, reading comprehension
Lesson Length
30–45 minutes
Reading Passage
Achilles
Achilles was an ancient Greek hero. He is known as 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, and his father, Peleus, was a regular man. This meant Achilles was considered half Greek god.
According to Greek legend, Achilles’ mother wanted to make her son immortal. She dipped him into the waters of the river Styx, holding him by his heel. His body became strong and untouchable — except for the heel where she held him. That part of his body would later be called the Achilles heel.
Peleus took Achilles to study at Mount Pelion, where the boy learned to ride a horse, hunt, use a bow, play music, write poetry, and sing. He grew into a fierce warrior who led his own band of soldiers, the Myrmidons.
When Helen of Troy left Greece for Troy, the Greek king Agamemnon led an army to take her back. Achilles joined the war — not for Helen, but to become a hero. He had little respect for Agamemnon and the two often clashed. After a heated dispute, Achilles refused to fight.
Achilles’ best friend, Patroclus, took his place in battle and was killed by the Trojan prince Hector. Furious, Achilles called a truce with Agamemnon, returned to the war, and challenged Hector to single combat outside the gates of Troy. After a long fight, Achilles killed Hector and refused to return his body to the Trojan king Priam until Priam came to plead with him.
Soon after, while standing in the gardens of Troy, Achilles was struck in the heel by an arrow shot by Hector’s brother Paris. He died there — but, as his mother had hoped, he would never be forgotten.
Printable Resources
Printable PDF · 7 pages
Achilles Reading Lesson and Worksheet
A 4-page reading passage on Achilles and the Trojan War, followed by multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, two essay prompts, and an answer key.