Page "Penthesilea" Paragraph 2

Penthesilea arrives in Troy at the start of Posthomerica the night before the fighting is due to recommence for the first time after Hector's death and funeral.

She came to Troy for two reasons: firstly, to prove to others that her people, the Amazons, are great warriors and can share the hardships of war and, secondly, to appease the Gods after she accidentally killed her sister, Hippolyta, while hunting.

She arrived with twelve companions and promised the Trojans that she would kill Achilles.

On her first, and only, day of fighting, Penthesilea kills many men and clashes with Telamonian Ajax, although there is no clear victor, before she comes face to face with Achilles, who had been summoned by Telamonian Ajax.

Prior to Achilles ' entrance, Penthesilea had tried to fight Telamonian Ajax but he had merely laughed off her attempts, thinking her unfit to face him.

Achilles eventually kills her, needing only one blow to her breastplate to knock her over and leave her begging for her life.

He is unmoved by her pleas, however, and kills her.

He mocks her corpse until he removes her helmet.

At this point, Achilles commits necrophilia on her corpse.

" Priestesses " by Norma Lorre Goodrich