The death of Achilles - Part IV

So Achilles met Memnon, and there was a terrible fight between the two heroes. They drew their swords and stood face to face in their shining armor, their broad shoulders towering above the other soldiers. Each prince fought bravely, care¬less of death. Blood flowed from many a wound, and the dust rose from the ground under their feet and hung in a cloud overhead. All the gods watched the fight, for both Achilles and Memnon were goddess-born. At last Zeus lifted high the scale of Fate. Down sank the scale of Memnon, weighted by his death, and Achilles struck him through the breast. The great Ethiopian fell dead to the ground.

As soon as they saw Memnon fall, the Trojans and Ethiopians fled back to Troy. Rejoicing at his victory, Achilles followed them, hoping that at last the Greeks 'could capture Troy. But as he reached the gates of the city Paris shot at him and, by luck, the arrow struck his left heel-the only spot through which Achilles could be killed by human weapons. The brave hero fell dead: Hector's dying prophecy had come true.