Iliad 22-24

While the rest of the Trojans cower inside the walls of Troy, Hektor must face what the Fates have decreed for him. Though his parents beg him to run from the fight, Hektor's pride will not allow him to stand down from the great Achilles.

The battle begins, but Hektor's nerves get the better of him for a moment, and he races around the walls of his city. But one cannot outrun Fate, and eventually he must face Achilles. Finally, Zeus' scales settle, and Hektor's is lower. The fated time of his death has arrived.

Both men throw spears, but neither one hits its mark. Achilles straight flying spear is no match for his own, stolen armor, which cannot be pierced. Still, as talented as My son is, there is a flaw in his armor. Thus Achilles exploited the same flaw that lead the the death of his beloved Patroclus. His spear drove into the weak spot 'where the collar-bones hold the neck from the soldiers, the throat, where death of the soul comes most swiftly." (22:324-325) Hektor's dying words are a request for Achilles to allow him a proper burial, but Achilles wrath has not yet abated and he swears to let the dogs feast on his body. The desecration is witnessed by all of Troy, by his parents and by his wife.

The silly mortals have left out all references to Us, but Brad Pitt sure is pretty.

While the Trojans mourn their prince, the Achaians gather to mourn their losses. Achilles continues to refuse to eat, until the ghost of gentle Patroclus returns to beg for a proper funeral so that he might move on to the Elysian Fields. This visit finally breaks Achilles from his black mood, and he gifts Patroclus with a beautiful funeral, burning his body, burying his bones, and offering 12 captured Trojans as a sacrifice. The next day, the victorious Greeks hold day of games in his honor.

The wrath of Achilles has not fully abated, and he continues to taunt the Trojans with the broken body of Hektor. Poseidon, Athene and I delight in this, Paris deserves to witness the downfall of the greatest of his city. But the other Gods  have tired of Achilles mocking, and send Thetis to finally recover Hektor's body. Priam goes to the Greek camp with a wagon of treasure for ransom. Achilles still hesitates. Priam asks him to remember his father. This is the convincing that Achilles needs, and he returns the corpse of the prince of Troy to his father.

The wrath of Achilles has finally abated.

H.