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Were the Greek Heroes Truly Heroes?

Story V
Hektor & The Trojan War

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Image of Hektor's Death at the Hand of the Greek Hero Achilles

http://www.calliope.free-online.co.uk/book1/pic47.htm
 

Introduction & Commentary

    This story is centered around the greatest hero of mighty Troy: Prince Hektor. This story cannot be told, however, without telling of the Trojan War and all of its gruesome battles and bloodshed. Hektor's story is one of many that is focused on in Homer's "Iliad." "The Iliad" is based on the Trojan War and the ten year battle between the Trojans and the Achians or Greeks. In truth, the main protagonist of Homer's "Iliad" is the Greek hero, Achilles, who ultimately hands over Hektor to Hades and the Underworld, but it is my belief that the true hero of this epic is indeed Hektor. For this week's story I will center it around Hektor and for next week I will tell the story from the other side of the coin; I will tell it through Achilles' eyes. My purpose in doing this is to compare the two accounts and to ultimately answer the question that I pose at the beginning of all of my stories: "Where the Greek Heroes Truly Heroes?" I feel that the tale of Hektor shows what a true hero is, and even though Achilles is thought to be the great hero of "The Iliad", my intention is to prove otherwise. So before you read about Hektor, think to yourself what you believe a hero is and I'm sure that you will agree with me after reading this account, that Hektor embodies all the qualities of a true hero and more.

    The Trojan War is one of the most fabled and legendary battles in all of history. There are many things that contribute to this battle being so unforgettable, such as, the battle lasted for ten years, its unbelievable violence and ferocity still captures many people's imaginations today, and the question in everyone's minds: "Is Homer's account of the war true?" While the final question is still not answered for sure, it is true that the war did happen. It resulted in the fall of one of the greatest ancient cities: Troy. It also was the subject of countless songs, stories, and artwork of the ancient world. Now we can't be sure that the Greeks actually destroyed Troy by means of a wooden horse (I will cover that in the story of Odysseus), or if the war was fought over Helen, as Homer claims. But we know that it indeed happened and that many men died as a result of its battles and in the end, Troy was gone.

    We enter "The Iliad" around nine years into the Trojan War, actually "The Iliad" only covers a few months of the battle, however, an ancient Greek audience would have been very familiar with all the events up to this point. Anyway, Troy was ruled by King Priam, who was married to Queen Hekuba. They had many children but the ones we are concerned with were Paris and Prince Hektor. Paris steals takes Helen from her Greek husband, Menelaos, and brings her back to Troy with him. (It was common for heroes to take women as war trophies after conquering a land and that is the case here). Only in this situation, Menelaos went after Paris and brought with him Greece's entire army. After years and years of fighting, the battle continues to sway back and forth, yet Troy remains intact and the Trojan army, led by Hektor, still fights strong. The Greeks' greatest hero, Achilles, refuses to fight because he feels he was dishonored by the Greek King Agamemnon, so, all is not well for the Greeks.
 
 

    Hektor enters "The Iliad" in book 3. You get an immediate sense that Hektor demands, and rightfully so, a bunch of respect as well as fear from both sides. During a battle, he stands up and calls the attention of both sides. At once both the Greeks and the Trojans stop fighting and listen to him. Now you have to imagine that these aren't two small little armies, in fact, both armies are comprised of 1,000's and 1,000's of soldiers; so imagine this scene where 1,000's of men are in heated battle and this lone man stands up and all falls silent. Homer describes Hektor as tall, handsome, muscular, well armored and very intimidating (Quite a tasty little dish!!). As his helmet shines in the sunlight, he speaks,

"Men of Greece. Men of Troy. Listen to me. I am Hektor of Troy, son of King Priam. (It was customary to mention your lineage and ancestry while introducing one's self). As we battle here today let us not forget the true reason that we are fighting, and that is because my brother, Paris, possesses the wife of one of your own. Let us now call him and this man forward to do battle, so that they might resolve this conflict and hopefully spare the lives of our men. The victor shall be awarded this woman, and a treaty of peace will be signed, and the Achians can return to their homes in their ships."

    Both armies agreed and did as Hektor told. They each took aside and were seated, leaving space in between for both men to battle. Now, Paris wasn't exactly a warrior, one of those "lover not a fighter" guys. Meneleaos was called, "the warlike" so you can see that this was a lopsided battle from the start. Once the battle ensues, Menelaos attacks and immediately strikes a blow to Paris with his spear & as Menelaos approaches for the death blow, the Goddess of Law, Aphrodite swoops in and carries Paris away from certain death. (Aphrodite loved Paris and couldn't stand to see him killed). This enrages both sides, and the Achian's King Agamemnon demands Helen back because Menelaos clearly won the battle. This, of course, starts the battle up again since both sides aren't willing to give in on such a technicality.

    There is a ton of battles that take place after both sides realize that a truce cannot be reached at this point. The battle sways back and forth, until all of a sudden the Achians rally and begin to drive back the Trojan forces. Hektor is advised by some of his men to return to Troy and to have the women begin to pray to the gods for strength and victory. Hektor leaves the battle. Upon returning to Troy he goes to his mother, Queen Hekuba, and informs her to pray to the war goddess Athena. (Athena hated Troy and was in heavy favor of the Achians so this would prove to be a wasted effort). Hektor discovers that his courageous brother, Paris, is at home with Helen instead of returning to the battle. He beats down the door to Helen's room and violently rebukes his brother for his cowardice and irresponsibility. After all, Paris is the main reason this war is being fought, and for him to be with Helen while all his own men were dying right outside his window was just downright shameful. Paris is shamed, and admits he is disgracing himself and his family, and agrees to return to the battle.

    Before returning to the battle there is a brief moment where the action of "The Iliad" slows down and you see the human side to the great warrior, Hektor. He enters his wife, Andromache's chambers, to visit her and his baby son, Astyanax. This is a truly touching scene because the reader and audience knows that this is the last time he will see his beloved wife and child. Andromache begs her husband to not return to the battle and to have pity on her and their infant child. Hektor responds:

"Andromache, you and my son are my whole life. I want nothing more than to be able to stay here with you both, but you know I cannot. My men look to me for my leadership and bravery and I cannot abandon them."

    Andromache reluctantly kisses her husband good bye. Hektor makes his way over to his infant son and takes off his blood-stained helmet, and kisses him good bye as well.

    This scene shows the human side to the ancient warrior and makes you realize that these men weren't just killing machines, they were human beings with real emotions and families. Hektor shows his bravery, unselfishness and courage in this scene but also shows how deeply he cares for his loved ones.

    Hektor and Paris rejoin the battle. As the battle rages on, another duel is arranged between the Trojan's best warrior, Hektor, and the Achian's best warrior, Ajax. (It would have been Achilles, but he still sat alone in his his, refusing to fight). An intense battle ensues, neither man winning decisively. The battle is stopped and both sides agree to a temporary truce to bury their dead.