Achilleus Achilleus leader of the Achaians and son of Peleus a mortal king and The sea-goddess Thetis is an important character of the Iliad. Achilleus is a well-respected warrior; the Achaians needed Achilleus to help them fight the Trojans. In book XXII Achilleus showed that he was heartless when he killed Hektor. Achilleus also showed that he was sympathetic towards elders by returning Hektors body when Priam begged for it. In Homers Iliad Achilleus was portrayed as a well-respected warrior, heartless, and sympathetic towards elders. In book I of the Iliad Achilleus first shows that he is well respected when he calls