Summer 2024

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Achilles' Reel explores a range of themes surrounding the Classical world each term, and we hope you enjoy exploring our editions and articles by writers in London, Dubai and Jeju.

Have a scroll through all our articles below, or choose a specific edition you're interested in from the menu above!

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A Closer Examination of Virgil’s Underworld in the Aeneid

achillesreel

2 min read

A Closer Examination of Virgil’s Underworld in the Aeneid

Aeneas’ descent into the Underworld in Book VI is depicted intricately and elaborately by Virgil, offering the reader a glimpse into the...

Dante's Underworld: the Nine Circles of Hell

achillesreel

2 min read

Dante's Underworld: the Nine Circles of Hell

In Dante’s Inferno, Dante is led by Virgil through the nine circles of Hell: Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Heresy, Violence, Fraud...

achillesreel

2 min read

Necromancy in Sagae Thessalae

Sagae Thessalae (The Witches of Thessaly) is a short story by Apuleius, written in the mid-2nd Century AD. It comes from the only...

Orpheus and Eurydice: Love and death in the underworld

achillesreel

2 min read

Orpheus and Eurydice: Love and death in the underworld

The ultimate love story, a story of wit, bravery, and tragedy; the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Perhaps one of the most tragic love...

achillesreel

2 min read

Theseus' encounters with the Underworld

Theseus, a celebrated hero is most well-known for his slaying of the Minotaur. Born to Medea and Poseidon, Theseus inherited the status...

10 Years to Ithaca: Odysseus’ Journey through the Underworld

achillesreel

2 min read

10 Years to Ithaca: Odysseus’ Journey through the Underworld

Odysseus is undeniably one of the most intelligent mortals throughout Greek mythology, famed for devising the plan that brought down the...

The depiction of the Underworld in Orpheus and Eurydice

achillesreel

2 min read

The depiction of the Underworld in Orpheus and Eurydice

The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice centres around the Underworld as the couple are split apart by death, following Orpheus’ attempt to...

achillesreel

2 min read

Adonis and the Underworld

Adonis is said to be the God of many things, including rebirth, beauty, and desire. He was a mortal at birth, yet – being Aphrodite’s...

achillesreel

2 min read

Dante's Inferno; a Brief Overview

Among the ranks of most loved Renaissance literature is Dante’s Inferno, the first part of La Divina Commedia, or the ‘Divine Comedy’....

achillesreel

2 min read

Heracles' 12th Labour

Heracles’ final labour was one of two additional labours that King Eurystheus of Tiryns ordered him to carry out, after his original...

achillesreel

2 min read

The Evolution of Ancient Death Rituals

Across time death has had different meanings in different cultures and thus, each developed their own beliefs, rituals and traditions...

Persephone and Hades: The Rulers of the Underworld

achillesreel

3 min read

Persephone and Hades: The Rulers of the Underworld

Persephone and Hades are hailed as equal rulers of the dead and the Underworld. There are very few mentions of Hades outside of the...

The Portrayal of the Underworld Through Time

achillesreel

2 min read

The Portrayal of the Underworld Through Time

The idea of the Underworld is one that has existed for thousands of years and has been referenced in virtually every source...

achillesreel

2 min read

A note from the Editor

Humanity has always held a profound fascination for death. From classical civilisations to the present day, our collective imagination...

achillesreel

2 min read

Death in Ancient Roman Society

Introduction Death in Ancient Rome had many differences compared to modern society. Death was arguably more frequent, and even part of...

“The Struggle Itself Towards the Heights is Enough to Fill a Man's Heart. One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy.“ - Albert Camus

achillesreel

4 min read

“The Struggle Itself Towards the Heights is Enough to Fill a Man's Heart. One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy.“ - Albert Camus

Chapter 1: The Man Who Cheated Death Son of Aeolus and Enarete, Sisyphus established Ephyra (also known as Corinth) and ruled as its...

achillesreel

0 min read

The Underworld Crossword

achillesreel

3 min read

The Curse of Sisyphus

Sisyphus was the first king of Ephyra, now known as Corinth. He was a clever, intelligent and quick-witted leader, but also an immoral...

A Vindication of Hades: An Altruistic God

achillesreel

5 min read

A Vindication of Hades: An Altruistic God

Established, modified, and fervently debated upon, the boundaries between right and wrong, good and bad, and honour and treachery have...

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