HECTOR (prince of Troy and its greatest defender)
Hero · prince of Troy in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Priam, Hecuba
- Siblings
- Paris, Cassandra, Deiphobus, Polyxena
- Consorts
- Andromache
- Children
- Astyanax, Laodamas, Amphineus, Oxynius
- Allies
- Aeneas, Ares, Zeus, Polydamas
- Foes
- Diomedes, Achilles, Achaeans
- Symbols and gear
- spear, chariot and horses, shield
- In the sources
- 415 ancient passages
In Godsunder
At the height of their saga. Heroes begin the campaign weaker and grow with every deed.
- Might12
- Grace18
- Vigour12
- Wits16
- Spirit20
- Spear of Troy. Hector is described as wielding the spear with exceptional skill. Iliad 5 ¶48
- Charge of the Prince. Hector says he can charge among chariots and horsemen. Iliad 7 ¶18
- Terror of the Wall. Hector inspires great terror in both Odysseus and other valiant warriors. Ovid Met. 13.1-438 (4)
- Defensive Turn. Hector states he is quick to turn his leathern shield to the right or left. Iliad 7 ¶18
- Hurl of the Giant. The son of Cronus made the heavy stone light for Hector to lift. Iliad 12 ¶22
Hector is the son of Priam and Hecuba, the first son born to them. Apollodorus 3.12.5 +14 Hector was the powerful, unbending, and invincible champion and pillar of Troy. Iliad 24 ¶18 +2 Hector is the prince of Troy and holds sovereignty over the city of Ilium. Euripides, Rhesus 164-194 +1
Appearance
Hector wore gleaming bronze armor, a round shield made of ox-hides covered with bronze plates, and a helmet that quivered on his temples. Iliad 12 ¶22 +2 Hector's eyes glared like fire under terrible eyebrows, and his face looked as dark as flying night. Iliad 12 ¶22 +1 Hector was compared to a pillar of flame and a wall of fire as he led the charge. Iliad 13 ¶47 +1
Powers
Zeus is said to be on Hector's side, inspiring him and supporting him in battle. Iliad 13 ¶7 +2 Zeus promised to give Hector strength to kill enemies once Agamemnon was wounded or retreated. Iliad 11 ¶13 +1 Hector was foremost of all his men in valour and was believed by Ajax to attack the Greek ships with unstoppable force. Iliad 17 ¶42 +1 Zeus granted Hector a period of triumph during which he killed many enemies and endowed him with great might. Iliad 11 ¶22 +1
In the myths
Hector killed Patroclus, who was wearing Achilles' armor, after Patroclus had inflicted much harm on the Trojans. Iliad 15 ¶5 +6 Achilles gave the body of Hector to Priam in exchange for a ransom. Iliad 24 ¶1 +5 Hector ran three times around the city of Priam during the chase by Achilles. Iliad 22 ¶14 +4 Hector rebuked Paris for his cowardice, lack of courage, and for stealing a wife from a warrior people, bringing sorrow to his father and city. Iliad 3 ¶6 +4 Hector stripped the divine armor from the body of Patroclus and wore it on his shoulders in a display of triumph. Iliad 16 ¶53 +4 Achilles killed Hector while Hector stood in defense of the Trojans. Iliad 24 ¶15 +4 Hector served as the protector and defender of Troy and its people, defeating enemies and protecting its possessions during the siege while its walls remained intact. Euripides, Hecuba 1-34 +3 Hector challenged Ajax to a duel, and Ajax declared he would defeat him in the upcoming one-on-one fight. Iliad 13 ¶9 +3 Hector's corpse was dragged around the walls of Troy by Achilles. Euripides, Andromache 103-116 +3 Hector was defeated and killed by Achilles. Euripides, Andromache 147-182 +3
Worship
The Trojans prayed to Hector throughout their city as if he were a god, depicted offering libations to him and praising him for his previous military victories. Iliad 22 ¶27 +3
Fate
Hector was slain by Achilles, who struck him in the neck with a spear that pierced but did not sever his windpipe. Iliad 22 ¶21 +9 Zeus granted Hector victory over the Greeks on a specific day, intended to grant him glory and the upper hand to honor Achilles, but did not intend to completely destroy the Achaean army before Ilius. Iliad 10 ¶9 +4 Hector is dead, and his death is a source of grief for his wife Andromache, who is left with a young child. Euripides, The Trojan Women 386-423 +4 Hector's body was dragged by Achilles, but Apollo shielded it from disfigurement. Iliad 22 ¶32 +4
