How Hector and Ajax fought
Chapter 5.
How Hector and Ajax fought
Athena was sorry to see her dear Greeks being killed. So she flew down from the heights of Olympus to see whether she could help them. When she reached Troy, she met Apollo.
Apollo loved the Trojans, and said to her: “Are you come to help the Greeks whom you love? I love the Trojans. Let us join together and stop them from fighting for today.”
Athena answered: “How shall we stop them from fighting?”
Apollo said: “We will set on Hector to challenge the bravest of the Greeks to fight with him, man to man.”
So these two put the thought into the mind of the prophet Helenus, who went to Hector and said: “The gods have made me a prophet, so that you should take heed to the things I say. My advice is: Cause the men of Troy and the Greeks to sit down in peace and challenge the bravest of the enemy to fight with you.”
This pleased Hector, and he said: “Hear me, sons of Troy, and men of Greece. The covenant we made together was broken. This was not my doing; the gods would have it so, for it is their will that we should fight together, till either you take our city or we drive you back to your own land. Yet it may be that the gods will repent and make peace between us. You Greeks choose from those who are strongest and bravest among you someone to fight with me. If this man shall conquer me, he shall take my arms for himself, but he shall give back my body to my people that they may burn it with fire. And, if I shall conquer him, then I will take his arms, but I will give his body to his people that they may bury it.”
The Greeks feared to battle the great Hector for he seemed to be stronger than before, but they were ashamed to hold back.
Menelaus cried: “What a shame it is to Greece that no one can be found to fight Hector! I will fight.”
But King Agamemnon would not suffer Menelaus to be so rash. “Nay, my brother,” he said, “seek not to fight with one who is much stronger than you. Sit still, for the Greeks will find some champion to meet him.”
Menelaus sat down. But when no one stood up to offer himself to fight with Hector, old Nestor said: “This is a sad day for Greece! O that I were such as I was in the old days, when the men of Pylos fought the men of Arcadia. When the champion of Arcadia challenged the men of Pylos to fight, they were afraid, for the man was like a giant; but I stood up, and Athena gave me great glory, for I slew him. O that I were now such as I was then! Hector would have someone to fight with him.”
When Nestor sat down, nine chiefs stood. Nestor said: “Let us cast lots into the helmet to see who of these nine shall fight with Hector.”
Nestor shook the helmet, and the lot that first leapt forth was that of Ajax the Greater.
Ajax cried: “The lot is mine, and I am glad, for I think that I shall conquer this mighty Hector.”
Ajax put on his armor and went forth. He spoke: “Come near, Hector, that you may see what men we have among us, we Greeks.”
Hector answered: “Come, let us fight openly, face to face.”
Ajax threw his spear at Hector. It passed through his shield, and through his armor. It went near to killing him, but Hector bent his body away, and saved himself.
Each took a fresh spear and ran together as fiercely as lions. Hector drove his spear against the great shield of Ajax, but he drove it in vain, for the spear point was bent. Then, Ajax, making a great leap from the ground, pierced Hector’s shield with his spear, and pushed him back from the place where he stood, and the spear point grazed his neck.
Then the two warriors drew their swords, but before they could get close together, two messengers came between them. The Trojan messenger said: “It is enough, my sons; fight no more; you are both great warriors and Zeus loves you. But now the night is at hand and bids you cease.”
Ajax said: “Yes, herald; but it is for Hector to speak, for he began this matter, challenging the bravest of the Greeks to fight with him.”
Hector said: “Ajax, the gods have given you strength and skill. There is no better warrior among the Greeks. Let us cease fighting. We may meet again another day. But now let us give gifts to each other, so that the Trojans and Greeks may say, ‘Hector and Ajax met in battle, but parted in friendship.’ “
So Hector gave to Ajax a silver-studded sword and Ajax gave Hector a buckler splendid with purple. They parted. The Trojans were glad to see Hector coming back safe from the battle. The Greeks rejoiced yet more, for indeed their champion had prevailed. King Agamemnon called all the chiefs to a feast. The Trojans also feasted in their city. But Zeus sent thunder all that night to be a sign of trouble to come.
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