Editing Hector (section)

==Biography==
Hector of Troy is a Trojan prince and warrior. He is the first-born son of King [[Priam]] and Queen [[Hecuba]], making him a prince of the royal house and heir to his father's throne. Hector weds [[Andromache]], who bore him a son, Scamandrius, whom the people of Troy know as [[Astyanax]].<ref>[[Iliad]] 6.390-404, Homer.</ref> According to some accounts, he had other children including [[Oxynios]]<ref>Narrations 46, [[Conon (mythographer)|Conon]].</ref> and [[Laodamas]].<ref>Trojan War Chonicle 6.12, [[Dictys Cretensis]].</ref>

Hector throughout the Trojan War brings glory to the Trojans as their best fighter. He is loved by all his people and known for never turning down a fight. He is gracious to all and thus thought of favorably by all but the [[Achaeans (Homer)|Achaeans]], who both hate and fear him as the Trojans' best warrior. He turns the tide of battle, breaking down their barriers and slaughtering their troops.

When Hector kills [[Patroclus]], [[Achilles]]&mdash;who had refused to fight because of a slight by [[Agamemnon]]&mdash;reenters the war to avenge his friend, and the Trojans are beaten back again. Hector's parents plead for him to take shelter within the city walls. Hector refuses, wanting to talk with Achilles, in an attempt to resolve the altercation without bloodshed, though Achilles is not one to be placated after Hector slays his close friend, Patroclus. Achilles chases Hector around the gates of Troy three times. [[Apollo]] gives Hector strength so he can always stay in the lead. But whenever he nears the entrance to the city, Achilles cuts him off. Finally [[Athena]] takes the guise of his favorite brother, [[Deiphobus]], telling him that they can face Achilles together. Tricked into thinking he might have a chance at winning, Hector waits for Achilles. He then proposes that whoever wins, be it him or Achilles, will be respectful to the other's body and give it back so there can be a proper burial. Achilles refuses, saying that there is "...no love between us. No truce till the other falls and gluts with blood" (Book 22, 313–314). After a short fight, Achilles stabs Hector in the throat, which results in his fated death. Hector then foretells Achilles' own death, saying that he will be killed by [[Paris (mythology)|Paris]] and Apollo.

After slaying him, Achilles strips him of his armor. The other Achaeans then gather to look upon and stab Hector's body. Achilles says a few words in victory and ties Hector's body by the heels to his chariot. He drags the body around the city of Troy, as the Trojans watch from the walls and lament, especially Andromache, Hector's wife. The desecration of Hector's body by Achilles is considered an affront to the gods and ultimately leads to Achilles' downfall.

During and after Patroclus' funeral, Achilles drags Hector's body around his pyre. However, the gods Aphrodite and Apollo protected his body from the dogs, disfigurement, and decomposition. Twelve days elapse before Priam goes to Achilles to ransom his son's body.