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Machaon is the Greek army’s physician, who works in the medical tent with his brother. He recognizes Patroclus as a student of Chiron’s and allows him to help treat patients, eventually deferring to Patroclus’s expertise in wounds. When Machaon is shot by an arrow, he asks Patroclus to speak to Achilles and convince him to rejoin the fight.
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Machaon Character Timeline in The Song of Achilles
The timeline below shows where the character Machaon appears in The Song of Achilles. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 23
...the soldiers directs him to the medical tent and, remembering Chiron, he goes. The physician, Machaon, recognizes Patroclus as Chiron’s former student and lets him help. Suddenly, a wounded man enters;...
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Chapter 25
That night, the plague begins. All the Greek army’s mules and dogs die. Machaon, Achilles, and Patroclus burn the bodies. The next morning, men begin to drop, too. Eventually,...
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Chapter 29
...to the medical tent to see who it is. It turns out it’s the doctor, Machaon, who was shot by an arrow. Nestor, who is also injured, screams about the other...
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