Hector
Greek mythology · hero · defense of the city, duty
Crown prince and shield of Troy, the Iliad's great figure of duty, fighting a war he knows is lost, for a brother's fault, leaving wife and infant son at the gate. Killed by Achilles and dragged behind his chariot, ransomed at last by his old father's tears.
Stories
The Death of Patroclus
With the ships burning, Patroclus begs to wear Achilles's armor and drives the Trojans back almost to their walls. Apollo strikes the armor from him, and Hector finishes it. The news breaks Achilles: grief, then a rage that no wall can hold.
Hector at the Scaean Gate
Hector alone stands outside the walls as Achilles comes on like fire. Athena, disguised as his brother, tricks him into standing his ground; he dies asking that his body be returned, and Achilles drags it behind his chariot instead.