Hector. The prominent hero of the Trojans in their war with the Greeks, was the eldest son of Priam and Hecuba, and the husband of Andromache. He fought with the bravest of the Greeks, and slew Patroclus, the friend of Achilles. The death of his friend roused Achilles to the fight. The other Trojans fled before him into the city. Hector alone remained without the walls, but when he saw Achilles, his heart failed him, and he took to flight. Thrice he ran round the city, pursued by Achilles, and fell, pierced by Achilles spear. Achilles tied Hector's body to his chariot, and thus dragged him into the camp of the Greeks. At the command of Zeus, Achilles surrendered the body to the prayers of Priam, who buried it at Troy with great pomp. Hector is one of the noblest conceptions of the poet of the "Iliad."

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