Priam and Hecuba, king and queen of Troy, bore Hector, Paris, Cassandra, Deiphobus, and Helenus. Hecuba dreamed Paris would destroy Troy, but Priam welcomed him back.
Hector and Andromache's marriage was the emotional heart of the Iliad. Their farewell at the Scaean Gates, with infant Astyanax frightened by his father's plumed helmet, is one of literature's most poignant scenes.
Aeneas fought alongside Hector as Troy's second-greatest warrior during the Trojan War. Both were members of the Trojan royal house through their common ancestor Tros.
Apollo protected Hector throughout the Trojan War, shielding him in battle and ultimately stunning Patroclus so that Hector could deliver the killing blow.
Glaucus fought alongside Hector in the defense of Troy, serving as co-commander of the Lycian allies. In Iliad 17, Glaucus rebuked Hector for abandoning Sarpedon's body to the Greeks.
Born on the same night, Polydamas and Hector serve as complementary Trojan leaders throughout the Iliad. Homer contrasts them: Polydamas excels in counsel while Hector surpasses all with the spear (Il. 18.252).
Sarpedon and Hector fought as allies defending Troy. In Iliad 5, Sarpedon rebuked Hector for relying too heavily on foreign allies, urging him to rally the Trojans themselves to fight harder.
Achilles and Hector were the greatest champions of their respective sides at Troy. Their duel before the Scaean Gate, ending in Hector's death, was the climax of the Iliad.
Ajax and Hector fought a famous single combat in the Iliad, ending in a draw and exchange of gifts.
Athena actively opposed Hector during the Trojan War. In his final duel, she disguised herself as his brother Deiphobus to trick Hector into standing and fighting Achilles, ensuring his death.
Hector and Diomedes clashed repeatedly on the battlefield. In the Iliad, Diomedes was one of the few Greeks who could match Hector in open combat.
In Iliad Book 8, Teucer shot at Hector from behind Ajax's shield, killing several Trojans nearby. Zeus intervened on Hector's behalf, snapping Teucer's bowstring before his arrow could strike.
Hector killed Patroclus in battle after Apollo stunned the young warrior and stripped his borrowed armor. This killing unleashed Achilles's wrath and sealed Hector's own fate.
Hector slew Protesilaus as the Greek hero leapt from his ship onto Trojan soil, fulfilling the prophecy that the first to land would be the first to die.
Achilles slew Hector before the walls of Troy to avenge Patroclus, then desecrated his body by dragging it behind his chariot for days before returning it to Priam.
In Aeneid Book 2, Hector's bloodied ghost appears to Aeneas on the night of Troy's fall, entrusting him with the sacred Penates and commanding him to found a new homeland.
Ajax led the defence of Patroclus's body after Hector killed him in Iliad Book 17. Ajax drove Hector back with a massive stone, then shielded the corpse while it was carried to the Greek camp.
Euphorbus and Hector cooperated in killing Patroclus in Iliad 16. Euphorbus struck the first blow from behind, wounding Patroclus, and Hector then stepped forward to deliver the fatal thrust.
Helen mourned Hector at his funeral, calling him the kindest of all Priam's sons and the only Trojan who never spoke a harsh word to her during the twenty years she spent in Troy.
Priam, guided by Hermes, crossed the Greek lines alone to kneel before Achilles and beg for Hector's body. The aged king kissed the hands that had slain his greatest son.
Hector was Troy's greatest champion during the Trojan War. He led the defense for ten years, drove the Greeks back to their ships, and killed Patroclus before falling to Achilles in single combat.
Zeus favored Hector during the war, granting him glory while Achilles sat idle. When fate turned, Zeus weighed Hector's soul against Achilles's on golden scales, and Hector's sank toward death.
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