The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Hector
Appearance
HECTOR, in Homeric narrative, the son of Priam and Hecuba, and the bravest of the Trojans, whose forces he commanded. His wife was Andromache, the daughter of Aëtion. He encountered the Grecian heroes in battle, and often gained advantages over them. By his presence Troy was invincible; but when he had slain Patroclus, the friend of Achilles, the latter, forgetting his dispute with Agamemnon, resumed his arms to avenge the death of his beloved companion. Pierced by the spear of Achilles, the body of Hector was dragged at the chariot wheels of the conqueror; but afterward, at the command of Zeus, was delivered to Priam for a ransom, who gave it a solemn burial.