Hector
Hector was Troy's greatest warrior, who fought not for glory but to defend his city, wife, and son.
The Legend of Hector
Eldest son of Priam and Hecuba, Hector was Troy's greatest warrior and its moral centre. He led the Trojan forces against Achilles, Ajax, Diomedes, and Odysseus for ten years. He killed Patroclus and nearly burned the Greek ships, fulfilling Zeus's promise to Thetis. His farewell to Andromache and baby Astyanax at the Scaean gates is the Iliad's most human scene. When Achilles finally slew him, he dragged the body around Troy until Priam, guided by Hermes, came alone to ransom his son. Apollo preserved Hector's body from corruption.
Parents
Priam and Hecuba
Children
Astyanax
Symbols
Fun Fact
The English verb "to hector" (to bully) is ironic — the original Hector was the most decent warrior in the Iliad.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Neoptolemus
🗡 heroSon of Achilles
Neoptolemus was Achilles' fierce son, brought to Troy because a prophecy declared the city could not fall without him.
Sarpédon
🗡 heroSon of Zeus who died at Troy
Sarpedon was a son of Zeus and the greatest Lycian warrior at Troy — his death forced Zeus to confront the limits of even divine power.
Acamas
🗡 heroCombat, diplomacy
Trojan warrior and son of Antenor who fought bravely in the defence of Troy
Schedius
🗡 heroPhocian leadership, combat
Commander of the Phocian contingent at Troy who was killed by Hector during the great battles
Ajax
🗡 heroThe immovable warrior who held the Greek line
The massive warrior from Salamis who carried a shield like a tower wall and held the Greek line when every other defender broke.
Telamon
🗡 herowar
King of Salamis, Argonaut, companion of Heracles, and father of Ajax the Great and Teucer.
Antilochus
🗡 herowar
Son of Nestor, youngest Greek commander at Troy, beloved companion of Achilles who died protecting his father.
Ilioneus
🗡 heroHerding, Troy
Trojan warrior whose name means man of Ilion, killed by Peneleos during the great battles
Parthenopaeus
🗡 heroSeven Against Thebes, Youth, Arcadia
Young Arcadian hero, one of the Seven Against Thebes, who died at the city walls before seeing his homeland again.
Tlepolemos
🗡 heroRhodian leadership, Heracles heritage
Son of Heracles who led the Rhodian contingent at Troy and was killed by Sarpedon
Antilochus
🗡 heroThe young warrior who died saving Nestor
The son of Nestor who died at Troy protecting his elderly father from Memnon — a sacrifice that moved Achilles to avenge him.
Agamemnon
🗡 heroKing of Mycenae
Agamemnon led the Greek coalition against Troy but was murdered upon return by his wife Clytemnestra.