Achilles Actions After Killing Hector: Honor, Humiliation, and Redemption

A. Introduction to the Trojan War and Characters

The Trojan War is one of the most famous episodes in Greek mythology, with Achilles and Hector being two of its central figures. Achilles, known for his exceptional courage and might, embodies Greek heroism. His adversary, Hector, is admired for his loyalty and bravery to his people. The narrative explores how Achilles' actions after the killing of Hector shaped the aftermath of the Trojan War.

1. The Humiliation of Hector's Corpse

After defeating Hector, Achilles exhibited a deep-seated desire to humiliate his fallen enemy. In the poetic accounts, it is described how Achilles dragged Hector's corpse behind his war chariot all the way from the battlefield at Troy to the Achaean camp (Il. XXII 422-449). The corpse was then thrown onto a common heap, symbolizing his disdain and disrespect for Hector's noble status as a prince and warrior (Il. XXII 477-482).

2. Further Abuse of Hector's Corpse

Achilles went beyond just tossing the body aside; he took a more deliberate and brutal approach to further humiliate Hector. According to Homer, Achilles stripped the corpse of its armor and cut holes in the heels, threading a belt through them to harness the body to his chariot. He then dragged Hector’s corpse around the walls of Troy, a spectacle that horrified the people watching from within the city (Il. XXII 559-580).

The catastrophic act did not end there; Achilles proceeded to drag Hector’s body around the funeral mound of Patroclus, his beloved companion who had been killed by Hector (Il. XXII 331-339). The corpse was left facing the ground, symbolizing both the deep sorrow and the humiliation that Achilles felt and wished to inflict.

3. Apollo’s Intercession and Achilles’ Anguish

Despite the relentless abuse of Hector’s corpse, there was one force that protected it from further harm. Apollo, the god of light and prophecy, mercifully shielded Hector’s body from degrading further. This act was seen as a moral intervention by the gods, illustrating the balance of justice and mercy in the cosmos (Il. XXII 483-490).

4. Achilles' Psychological Struggle and the Return of Hector's Body

The abuse of Hector’s corpse took a toll on Achilles. Although he was driven to this extent by a desire for vengeance and to sate his rage, the undefiled condition of Hector's body was a constant reminder of the harm he had wrought. Tension began to seep into Achilles' psyche, and the unburied body of Hector persisted as a haunting presence in his mind and dreams (Il. XXII 583-588).

Achilles' internal struggle culminated in a drastic realization that his actions had driven Hector’s father, King Priam of Troy, to beg for the return of his son’s body. Recognizing the sanctity of familial love and his own emotional and moral compass, Achilles was moved to release Hector’s corpse to Priam (Il. XXIV 571-622).

5. Conclusion: The Human Dimension of Divine Feud

This narrative highlights a critical aspect of the Trojan War; it is not only a conflict between two cities but a deeply personal and emotional struggle. Achilles’ actions after killing Hector, from humiliating to granting the body’s final dignity, illustrate the complex interplay of vengeance, honor, and eventual empathy. It underscores the theme that even amid divine feuds, human emotions and connections have profound impacts on the outcome of legendary battles.