The Warriors of Achilles - The Terrible Myrmidons - Greek Mythology - See U in History

The great warrior Achilles was unrivaled on the battlefield, but his glorious fate might have been different had he not had his rear protected by an elite guard known as the Myrmidons. These were fearsome warriors and tireless workers, whose origin goes back to a tiny creature, but just as brave and tireless as the Myrmidons. Zeus had a son with the nymph Aegina, daughter of the river god Aesopus. From this union, Aecus was born, and like dozens of Zeus' other bastard sons, he was relentlessly persecuted by the goddess Hera, Zeus' wife. Aecus went on to rule the island of Aegina, named in honor of his mother, but the goddess Hera did not want another illegitimate son of Zeus to live in such an honorable and privileged position. Therefore, she decided to set out on her revenge. The island of Aegina was devastated by a terrible plague, which killed all of Aecus' subjects, leaving him utterly desperate. The king asked his father for help, for he could never reign over an uninhabited land. From an anthill, Zeus brought forth the subjects that his son Aecus had begged for. These ants became strong and brave men, as well as tireless working women. Part of these men were trained to form an army known for marching long distances and for being loyal to their masters. Aecus had two famous sons, Telamon of Salamis, father of Ajax the Great, and Peleus, father of the glorious Achilles. With the Myrmidons at his side, Achilles immortalized his name thanks to his deeds alongside these warriors standing before the Trojan walls.