Achilles and the Daughters of Lycomedes

Knowing that her son was destined to die if he fought in the Trojan War, Achilles' mother disguised him as a woman and entrusted him to King Lycomedes, among whose daughters he lived on the isle of Scyros. Ulysses and a group of Greek chieftains were sent to fetch him and cunningly laid a heap of gifts before the women including a sword, shield and spear. The present drawing shows the moment that a trumpet sounds, and Achilles instinctively takes up the weapons, thus betraying his identity.