#achilleus

In Philostratus work "Heroica" we have a rather distinctive description of Achilles and even if I do not always agree plot-wise with everything Philostratus says this description sticks to me;

His hair was untamable and thick and they say it was more beautiful than precious gold and always was well-shaped no matter where the wind blew it or he himself moved it. His nose was not exactly aquiline but close to that. His eyebrows were arch-like while his amber eyes even if he were calm, would never hide his readiness, on the contrary it was preparing you for some action that was simply being delayed. When he decided to take action his gaze simply harmonized instantly with the intensity of his soul. Such a gaze would magnetize anyone that perceived it. It was true that all the Achaeans felt for him exactly the same they would feel before strong lions; even though one embraces their calmness, I'd say they admire them even more when they rush with incredible strength against bulls or any other of the fighting beasts. They say that the mood of Achilles can already be perceived by his nape, which was truly straight and high up. He was also the most just among the Greeks both by nature but also due to his living with Cheiron

(Translation by me)

Okay for once whoa! What a description of his gaze!!! Like the way that they make Achilles appear like a lion because of his golden thick hair and all but above all with his gaze! His eyes almost looking like a lion ready to strike and even how everyone was magnetized by him! And I love it how Philostratus says that yes Achilles when calm was a marvel to look at because of his beauty but also when he rushed into battle he was truly a sight to behold! Then it even says that he was just because of his nature but also because he was raised by Cheiron away from the corruption of politics and all, which is a subject of many of the thought posts I made in the past!

Anyway back to the point of this post! Amber eyes!

The epithet that is used to describe his eyes is χαροπός (charopos) which as usual can have many meanings including "fierce". Many translators seem to actually translate it as "grayish-blue" as a substitute for the color γλαύκος which is of course known however Maxwell Stuart disagreed and said that this color is definitely a different color and is indeed a shade of amber. And I agree with him. The word χαροπός reminds me of "carob" (χαρούπι) a word with Accadian origins and as we all know the carob syrup has a very rich, amber hue;

it was already known in antiquity and I believe Theophrastus mentions it in his work. so yes I think that this is indeed a color for a shade of amber instead. In fact Stuart mentions how this color was associated with lion descriptions and as we all know lions have at large amber-hued eyes

so yes I know even I am depicting Achilles with blue eyes or describe him as such in my stories but sometimes I wonder the potential of Achilles have eyes that can literally resemble a predatory feline and the marvel they might cause. Amber eyes is after all one of the rarest eye colors in the world

Made Achilles wear the Mycenaean sun blush and some alta from the mehendi hc discussed with @katerinaaqu and @zeherili-ankhein lol