Duel with Achilles:
After the death of his close friend and ally, Patroklos, Achilles was filled with rage and vowed to avenge him. He pursued Hektor, the greatest Trojan warrior and the defender of Troy, onto the battlefield.
Chase Around Troy:
Hektor initially tried to avoid a confrontation with Achilles by running around the walls of Troy. The two warriors circled the city three times until Zeus, the king of the gods, intervened.
Apollo Abandons Hektor:
Apollo, who had been protecting Hektor throughout the war, realized that it was his fate to die against Achilles. Apollo briefly appeared to Hektor during the chase to dissuade him from facing Achilles and left him to his destiny.
The Fatal Duel:
Achilles eventually caught up with Hektor. Despite Hektor's pleas for mercy and even offering a ransom, Achilles remained relentless. In a one-on-one duel, Achilles thrust his spear into Hektor's throat, dealing the final blow.
Dragging of Hektor's Body:
After killing Hektor, Achilles tied his body to his chariot and brutally dragged it back to the Achaean camp. He dishonored Hektor's body by refusing to allow it to be properly buried according to Trojan customs.
Ransom and Funeral:
After several days, the gods intervened, and Priam, Hektor's father, appealed to Achilles to return his son's body for a proper burial. Achilles eventually relented, agreeing to accept a ransom for Hektor and allowing the Trojans to mourn and bury their fallen hero with honors.
In The Iliad, Hektor's death not only symbolizes the fall of Troy's greatest defender but also emphasizes the tragic consequences of war and the destructive nature of unyielding rage and vengeance.