The presence of the other boys did not comfort me; our…

“Bury us, and mark our names above. Let us be free.”

— Madeline Miller

“The mightiest kings have had their minions; Great Alexander loved Hephaestion, The conquering Hercules for Hylas wept; And for Patroclus, stern Achilles drooped. And…

— Christopher Marlowe

“Patroclus, he says, Patroclus. Patroclus. Over and over until it is sound only.”

— Madeline Miller

And overpowered by memory Both men gave way to grief. Priam wept freely For man - killing Hector, throbbing, crouching Before Achilles' feet as…

— Homer

“Briseis is kneeling by my body. She has brought water and cloth, and washes the blood and dirt from my skin. Her hands are…

— Madeline Miller

“We reached for each other, and I thought of how many nights I had lain awake loving him in silence.”

— Madeline Miller

“I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me.”

— Madeline Miller

“My friend Patroclus, whom I loved, is dead. I loved him more than any other comrade. I loved him like my head, my life,…

— Homer

“He stands apart with Patroclus, his beloved through all eternity, and Patroclus - who loves Achilles but not as much as he is loved…

— Elizabeth Cook

“Achilles weeps. He cradles me, and will not eat, nor speak a word other than my name.”

— Madeline Miller

“There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles,' Chiron said. 'And perhaps it is a greater grief, after all, to be left…

— Madeline Miller

“I conjure the boy I knew. Achilles, grinning as the figs blur in his hands. His green eyes laughing into mine. Catch, he says.…

— Madeline Miller

“Our goddess of the moon is gifted with magic, with power over the dead. She could banish the dreams, if she wished. She did…

— Madeleine Miller

“The never-ending ache of love and sorrow. Perhaps in some other life I could have refused, could have torn my hair and screamed, and…

— Madeline Miller

“I have done it," she says. At first I do not understand. But then I see the tomb, and the marks she has made…

— Madeline Miller