In the Greek legend, Hector of Troy was a prince of Troy and the greatest hero of Troy during the Trojan War. As a warrior, he had considerable power, and many Trojans respected him as a hero, prince and a man.

Personally, I find Hector of Troy to be one of the most noble and respectful men in history. He was an incredibly loyal man to his army and his family while always showing respect for his enemies. While he may have had a tragic ending, Hector of Troy is a legend in every meaning of the word. He lived life in a way that was greatly respected and he was loved by many. In modern-day, this is the type of person whose funeral you attend and notice that there are several rooms full of people. Someone that was loved and respected by all circles in their lives, touching everyone’s heart in a very special way. Be a great influence like Hector of Troy and while all of our lives may end one day, your name just may be talked about forever.

The Life of Hector of Troy

Hector of Troy was the first son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, and a descendant of Tros, the man who founded Troy. Prince of power and heir to the throne, Hector married Andromache and had a son named Scamandrius, who was also known as Astyanax.

According to the legend of Troy as written by Homer, Hector of Troy was a naturally peaceful man, a rare person that lived without the darker motives that were so rampant in those times.

The Battle of Troy

The legend of Troy was written in the Iliad by the writer Homer. Throughout the Iliad, however, Hector of Troy is known for being against the war brewing between the Greeks and the Trojans. The war had erupted when Paris, Hector’s younger brother, ran away with the wife of Menelaus, Helen. Hector often admonished his brother for his lack of power when he kept choosing to run away rather than fight.

Hector’s first main duel in the Battle of Troy was against Protesilaus. Though it was Hector’s first victory during the war as a hero, there had already been a prophecy concerning the first Greek who would die. Hector fulfilled it by killing Protesilaus.

The next duel the hero fought was against Ajax. After managing to get both armies sitting, a feat of legend, he challenged any Greek to a one-on-one duel, and Ajax eventually stepped forth. The two warriors fought all day, continuously ending at a stalemate, until both stopped and complimented each other’s power as a warrior. It is after this that a truce was made and both armies were allowed to properly bury their dead.

Hector of Troy’s next and final duel was against Achilles. In the Iliad legend, their duel was fought when Hector’s army fled back into the city, leaving Hector to defend the outside alone. Hector fought back until Achilles slew him, his last sight being that of the city. The 2004 movie adapted from this legend describes the fight differently, making it sound more like a single purposeful duel between two warriors.

Achilles mistreated Hector’s body for twelve days, though it was never damaged thanks to the intervention of the gods Apollo and Aphrodite. King Priam himself came to take back his son’s body, and Achilles’s mother, Thetis, convinced him to release Hector. Twelve days of truce was ordered, giving the Trojans enough time to give Hector the proper burial. Everyone mourned his death, including Helen.

Facts about Hector of Troy

• Hector’s calm and peaceful attitude helped make him a hero to his people, not just his killings in the battles.
• There is no real way of finding out whether or not the story told in the Iliad is a legend or not.
• He killed Achilles’ best friend, Patrocles, who had been pretending to be Achilles. The legend goes on to speak of Achilles’ fury at the death of his friend, hence his revenge on Hector.