An epic hero is described as someone who undertakes quests to achieve something of tremendous value to themselves or to their society. He's a leader through the toughest times and a fighter through the worst battles. Hector, the mightiest warrior in the Trojan army, from "The Iliad" by Homer, demonstrates his fighting capabilities, his bravery, and his honor throughout this epic poem. Based upon his true actions and worthiness within his battle against Achilles, Hector is, and will always be remembered as, a hero.
             Being the warrior that he is, Hector arouses the battle between he and Achilles by slaying Achilles' best friend, Patroclus. The god Apollo had actually struck Patroclus from his horse, giving Hector the opportunity to slay the warrior and strip the corpse of its armor (Homer 246). Proving his victory over Patroclus only erupted a new battle. Even Hector's mother Hecuba couldn't stop him from fighting once again after pleading, "Defend yourself against the killer this side of the wall, not hand to hand (Homer 249)." However, Hector refuses to back down. He stands firm, "the way a serpent, fed on poisonous herbs, coils at his lair upon a mountainside (Homer 249)." Although Hector had run away at first, his mind quickly reversed its mental state when his "brother" Deiphobus entered the scene. Deiphobus, only to be truly analyzed as Athena, would pull through to reveal Hector's true bravery.
             "I will no longer fear you as before, son of Peleus, though I ran from you round Priam's town three times and could not face you. Now my soul would have me stand and fight, whether I kill you or am killed," declares Hector (Homer 254). With "Deiphobus" at his side, Hector proves his bravery by standing up to Achilles, mortal to immortal. Hector succeeds well in dodging Achilles' spear, yet Athena replenishes
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