Book 1 Achilleus and his mother

In Book 1 I was surprised with the relationship that Achilleus has with his mother. Homer mimics the relationship to be somewhat of a child and a mothers guidance. It was sort or heartwarming in a way. Achilleus is battling the plague and losing his people. Homer writes, “Many times stretching  forth his hands he called his mother” (line 351). In other words Homer is describing Achilleus praying to his mother. I was confussed since I thought that the Greeks only pray to the gods. But in this case Achilleus in praying to his mother about what Zeus has done to him. Achilleus reminds me of a child who is in trouble. He calls his mother in hopes that she is listening and for help. Thetis, “sits beside him as he wept, and stroked him with her hand…” (line 360-361). Achillesu knows his mother is always listening. Achilleus tell her, “You know; since you know why I must tell you all this?” (line 356). Despite the fact that Achilleus knows his mother already knows what has happened, he still continues to tell her the situation. I took this as Achilleus venting to his mother about his problems and struggles. Many people sometimes just need to talk about what happened to make themselves feel better. This made me think that Homer wanted to relate to humans in an emotional level.