The battle of Achilles and Hector
Achilles rushed into the battle, slaying as he went. King Priam stood on a tower of the wall and saw how Achilles was driving the men of Troy before him, and his heart was much troubled within him, thinking how he could help his people. He stretched out his hands crying to Hector his son, where he stood before the gates waiting to fight with this terrible warrior: “O my son, wait not for this man, lest he kill you, for indeed he is stronger than you. Of many sons has he bereaved me, but if he should bereave me of you, every man and woman in Troy would mourn. Come within the walls, my dear son.”
But Hector was still minded to await the coming of Achilles and stand up to him in battle. And Achilles came near, shaking over his right shoulder the great Pelian spear. Hector trembled when he saw him, and his heart failed him so that he turned his back and fled, and fast did Achilles pursue him, just as a hawk, which is more swift than all other birds, pursues a dove among the hills. And the gods looked on as they sat in their palace on the top of Olympus. And Zeus said:
“Now this is a piteous thing that I see. My heart is grieved for Hector, who has never failed to honor me and the other gods with sacrifice. See how the great Achilles is pursuing him! Come, let us take counsel together. Shall we save him from death, or shall we let him fall by the spear of Achilles?”
Athena said: “Will you save a man whom the fates appoint to die? Do this, if you will, but the other gods do not approve.”
Zeus answered: “This is a thing that I hate; but be it as you will.” All this time Hector fled, and Achilles pursued. Three times did they run round the city, but when they came for the fourth time to the springs Athena lighted close to Achilles and said: “This is your day of glory, for you shall slay Hector, though he be a mighty warrior. It is his doom to die, and Apollo’s self shall not save him. Stand here and take a breath, and I will make him meet you.”
So Achilles stood leaning on his spear. And Athena took the shape of Deïphobus, and came near to Hector and said to him: “My brother, Achilles presses you hard; but come, we two will stand up against him.”
Hector answered, “O Deïphobus, I have always loved you above all my brothers.” Then said Deïphobus: “Much did my comrades entreat me to stay within the walls, but I would not, for I could not bear to leave you alone. Come, therefore, let us fight this man together.”
Then Hector said to Achilles: “Three times have you pursued me round the walls, and I dared not stand against you, but now I fear you no more. Only let us make this covenant. If Zeus gives me the victory today, I will give back your body to the Greeks, only I will keep your arms: do you, therefore, promise to do the same with me?”
Achilles frowned at him and said: “Hector, talk not of covenants to me. Make no delay; let us fight together, that I may have vengeance for the blood of all my comrades whom thou hast slain, and especially of Patroclus.”
Then he threw the great spear, but Hector saw it coming and avoided it. But Athena snatched it up and gave it back to Achilles; but this Hector did not see. Hector said to Achilles: “You have missed your aim. Now see whether I have not a truer aim.” Then he cast his spear, and the aim, indeed, was true, for it struck upon the shield; but it bounded far away. Then he cried to Deïphobus: “Give me another spear”; but Deïphobus was gone, and Hector knew that his end was come, and said to himself: “The gods have brought my doom upon me. I thought that Deïphobus was with me, but he is behind the walls, and this was but a cheat with which Athena fooled me. But, if I must die, let me die in the doing of such a deed as men shall remember in the years to come.”
So he drew his great sword, and rushed upon Achilles but never a blow did he deal; for Achilles ran to meet him, holding his shield before him and the point of Achilles’ spear was as bright as the evening star. He drove in the spear and Hector fell in the dust.
Achilles cried: “Hector, you thought not of me when you slew Patroclus and spoiled him of his arms. Now you have fallen, and vultures shall eat your flesh, but to Patroclus, the Greeks will give honorable burial.”
Hector said, his voice growing faint: “Achilles, I entreat you to give my body to my father and mother that they may bury it. Large ransoms will they pay.”
“Speak not to me of ransom,” said Achilles. “Priam shall not buy thee back.”
Hector said: “I know well what manner of man you are. Only beware lest the anger of the gods come upon you for such deeds in the days when Paris and Apollo shall slay you hard by these very gates.”
So speaking, Hector died. Achilles said: “Die, dog that you are; but my doom I will meet when it shall please the gods to send it.”
Then did Achilles devise a cruel thing. He fastened the body to the chariot, and dragged it to the ships.
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