As the Trojan dies, he begs that his body be returned to his family for a proper funeral, but Achilles again refuses Hektor's request. After several feints, Achilles lunges and stabs Hektor in the throat. Hektor is armed with only a sword, while Achilles still has his spear. The two men circle each other, slowly closing in. Next, Hektor throws his spear and hits the center of Achilles' shield, but the divine armor cannot be penetrated. Achilles casts his spear first and misses the mark, but it is returned to him by Athena. The two warriors engage in a decisive duel. But before the two heroes fight, Hektor attempts to make Achilles promise to treat his body with respect if he is killed, but Achilles is so full of fury that he refuses. Achilles pursues him around the city walls three times, and, as they run, Hektor tries unsuccessfully to draw Achilles within range of the Trojan archers on the battlements.įinally, Athena deludes Hektor into believing that he will have assistance against Achilles. Yet, when Achilles arrives, Hektor is overcome by fear and he flees. While waiting, Hektor considers the various courses of action open to him and decides that the only real possibility is to fight Achilles. His mother and father appeal to him to seek safety behind the city walls, but their pleas are in vain. With the Trojans now secure in their city, Hektor - as their sole representative - stands outside the city gates and prepares to meet Achilles.
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