Friendships in History: Achilles and Patroclus // Antony and Cleopatra

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Friendships in History, especially from mythology and the ancient world have withstood the test of time. Achilles and Patroclus are known from Greek Mythology, and primarily from Homers Iliad, were friends as boys, and their close relationship (which may have been that they were lovers), only continued to grow until their untimely deaths during the Trojan War. The ambiguity of Homer's writing has left everyone who is familiar with the story wondering whether they were indeed lovers or not, but what is certain is that they could not live without each other.

The relationship between the Roman General Mark Antony and Cleopatra IV of Egypt has gone down in history as one of the best known love stories of all time, with an ending which parallels that of Romeo and Juliet. What is not as widely discussed is their close friendship and their wild ways, out on the town getting drunk and causing mischief.

The stories of love and friendship in the ancient world have survived in many forms, and from many regions, and today we will be having a look at these two famous friendships, and the stories that have prevailed for thousands of years.