Hector

Prince of Troy

Hector was the eldest son of King Priam and the commander of the Trojan forces. Though the war had been caused by his brother Paris carrying off Helen, Hector fought for his city out of duty, with no illusions about the danger. He was respected even by his enemies for his courage and decency.

Farewell to Andromache

One of the most moving scenes in the Iliad shows Hector on the walls of Troy with his wife Andromache and their baby son Astyanax. When the child is frightened by the plume on his father’s helmet, Hector laughs, takes it off and prays that his son will one day be greater than he is. Andromache begs him not to return to battle, but he knows he must.

Death before the walls

With Achilles out of the fighting, Hector drove the Greeks back to their ships and killed Patroclus. When the enraged Achilles returned, Hector waited alone outside the gates. His courage failed him at the last moment, and he ran three times around the city before turning to fight, deceived by Athena into thinking his brother stood beside him. Achilles killed him and dishonoured his body, until Priam’s plea won it back. The Iliad ends with Hector’s funeral.