The Achilles tendon is one of the strongest and largest tendons in the human body. This tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and allows the foot to flex. It plays a vital role in everyday movements such as walking, running and jumping. However, the Achilles tendon isn ‘t just a biological term; it ’s also a concept deeply intertwined with a mythological story. The story of Achilles in Greek mythology has been told throughout history as a symbol of both great strength and weakness.

Mythological Story of Achilles

Achilles is one of the most famous heroes of Greek mythology. Achilles, whose mother was the sea goddess Thetis and father was the mortal king Peleus, was born as a demigod. His mother Thetis, who wanted to make him immortal, immersed Achilles in the waters of the underground river Styx as a baby. The waters of the River Styx had the power to make everything immortal and invincible. However, because Thetis immersed Achilles by holding his heel, only the part where his heel touched was deprived of immortality, not his whole body. For this reason, Achilles' heel, the Achilles tendon, remained his weakest point.

The Trojan War and the End of Achilles

One of Achilles' most famous battles is the Trojan War. Achilles, the most powerful warrior of the Greek army, won great victories in the war based on the gates of the city of Troy. He even changed the course of the war by defeating Troy's famous warrior Hector. However, the legend of Achilles focuses not only on his strength but also on his weakness. During the Trojan War, a Trojan prince named Paris shot a poisoned arrow into Achilles' heel, his weak point. Achilles lost his life with this fatal blow. This event made Achilles‘ heel a symbol of the weakest points in the human body, and the expression “Achilles” heel’ has survived to the present day as a phrase expressing the place where a person is most vulnerable.

Importance of Achilles Tendon in Modern Medicine

Beyond mythological stories, the Achilles tendon is of great importance in medicine today. Although it ‘s one of the strongest tendons in the human body, it ’s also one of the most injured. Achilles tendon injuries often occur in athletes and can cause serious injuries. Situations such as sudden movements, overloading or insufficient stretching can lead to an Achilles tendon rupture or tear. This type of injury may require prolonged rest or even surgical intervention.

Achilles tendon injuries are especially common in athletes, as this tendon is subjected to great pressure during sports. Sports such as basketball, football, running, etc. put a serious load on the Achilles tendon. Symptoms of Achilles tendon injury include severe pain around the heel, swelling, tenderness around the tendon and restricted movement in the ankle. Depending on the severity of the injury, the treatment process can last for months and rehabilitation plays an important role in this process.

Symbolism of Achilles' Weakness

Apart from its physiological importance in modern medicine, the Achilles tendon symbolises the idea that even where man is strongest there can be a weakness. The mythological story tells that although Achilles was an almost invincible hero, a small weakness in his heel was his undoing. This shows that strength is not always absolute and that each individual can harbour a weakness even in their strongest aspects.

This mythological narrative is still considered an inspirational story today. The expression ‘Achilles’ heel’ is used to refer to the places where people are most vulnerable. This phrase encourages both individuals to know themselves better and to become stronger by recognising their weaknesses.