Achilles vs. Hector: Who Is the True Hero of the Iliad?

Introduction: Achilles and the Question of Heroism

One of the central heroes of Homer's great epic, The Iliad, is Achilles. Known for his handsome appearance and physical invulnerability, Achilles is driven by a compelling need and desire to have his memory preserved in history. Although this desire is expressed as Achilles' personal compulsion, Homer clearly intended it to be reflective of humankind in general. This desire for everlasting immortality remains an important part of Western culture even today.

The real question is whether Achilles' actions in the Iliad qualify him as a true hero. Most readers of the epic view Achilles as a hero, but a more careful reading may raise doubts about his status as such. Part of Achilles' appeal is based on his described appearance and charm. He has the traditional hallmarks of a hero: a muscular build denoting extreme strength, handsome and masculine features, and an apparent close relationship with the various Greek gods. In battle, he is apparently fearless and stands out as the bravest member of the army. These are attributes that society would expect to find in its heroes, but there are other aspects of Achilles' character that are decidedly less than heroic.

Achilles' Choice: Glory Over Altruism

The great dilemma for Achilles is presented to him by his mother, Thetis. She points out to Achilles, as he is deciding whether to go to battle on behalf of the Achaean army, that his options are clear: he can fight in the war, become a hero, and be remembered forever, or he can stay home, live his life happily, and die in old age. Reflecting on this advice, Achilles states: "My mother … tells me that there are two ways in which I might meet my end. If I stay and fight, I shall not return alive but my name will live for ever; whereas if I go home my name will die, but it will be long ere death shall take me" (Iliad, p. 51). In the end, Achilles weighs his options and decides to fight — but his decision is not based on altruism. It is based on selfishness.

Achilles' compelling need was to ensure his immortality, a need grounded in selfishness. He is determined to do whatever is necessary to accomplish his goal. Achilles seeks glory and honor, and his every motivation is based on his need to be considered a hero. There is little concern expressed for the fate of his country or the protection of its people. The net result is the same — Achilles leads the Achaean army to victory and, in the process, saves his people — but his motivation is suspect, and therefore so is his status as a true hero.

Hector as the Selfless Warrior

The true hero of the Iliad may well be Achilles' nemesis, Hector. Although Hector and his Trojan army eventually lose the battle with Achilles and the Achaean forces, his actions are admirable throughout the epic, and it is his conduct that enables the Trojans to sustain their resistance. Hector's heroism does not arise solely from his actions in battle but from the way he leads his entire life.

Hector is a warm and compassionate individual who is totally dedicated to his family. Unlike Achilles, who is motivated by personal glory, Hector is motivated to protect his country and his fellow Trojan citizens. He does not seek or pursue personal glory. He does not pretend to be unafraid when entering battle, and he is not reluctant to admit that he has human flaws. He is capable of anger, but he is equally capable of demonstrating compassion.

For Hector, nothing is more important than his family. He openly demonstrates his love and devotion to his wife, his children, and even his brother Paris. It is his love for his family and fellow citizens that motivates Hector to enter battle — not some selfish desire for fame. The clearest evidence of Hector's humanity is his initial, fearful response to the overwhelming power of the Achaean army. He flees, but he eventually returns and confronts his fears by standing up to Achilles and his forces. The result is tragic — Hector dies — but his death is truly heroic because his motivations are far more legitimate than Achilles' and far more deeply human.

Conclusion: Legacy and True Heroism

Overall, the differences between the two warriors were much stronger than their similarities. They both rise to fame on the same field of battle in the same war, but they emerge from it with very different legacies. Because of their different beliefs, different strengths and weaknesses, and their different loyalties, one is a true hero and one is not.

Over the course of time, Achilles' reputation has withstood the scrutiny of most observers, but it is Hector's legacy that is likely the more admirable. Achilles' actions were successful but improperly motivated, while Hector failed in his mission yet lived more admirably and died in pursuit of a noble cause: the protection of his family and fellow citizens. Achilles may have been the stronger and more fearless fighter, but it was Hector who possessed the more admirable qualities. As scholars of ancient Greek literature have long noted, epic heroism is defined not only by battlefield prowess but by the values that animate a warrior's choices.

Hector possesses qualities that make a hero more enduring and more human. Achilles is more colorful but lacks depth of character. Hector is more complete as a man and, therefore, more aligned with what a true hero should be. Hector is someone to emulate — and therein lies why he deserves to be considered the greater hero of Homer's epic.

Works Cited

The Iliad. Translated by Samuel Butler. CreateSpace, Charleston, SC, 2010.