Hector's Weapons In The Iliad

The Iliad is an epic poem that portrays a well fought battle between the Trojans and the Greeks. The war began because a Trojan, named Paris, refused to return Helen. Helen was a Greek wife of Menelaus. Menelaus was not happy, so he asked his brother’s support in attacking the city of Troy. Menelaus was embarrassed by this event that he wanted to save his honor and seek revenge for what Paris did to disgrace him to his fellow Greeks. Paris’ brother, Hector, stepped in and killed Menelaus, so his brother would not have to fight to the death to save his honor and Helen. At that point, the war escalated, and created a vicious battle between Achilles and Hector. Achilles is a Greek warrior who commanded respect because of his fighting abilities

Many of their weapons are reflected in today’s military albeit modernized for modern warfare. The purpose of their weapons and armor is strongly emphasized in the epic poem. The Iliad, Hector mentions,

And the joint of his left shoulder ached with labor, forever bracing his huge burnished shield rock-steady, but they could not wrench it loose from round his body for all their pelting weapons (Homer 16.127-130).

The purpose of emphasizing the importance and the power of weapons is to demonstrate the value and strength of their material and how it protects the warrior or soldier in our case. Homer is portraying that the Greeks are wealthy by showing that they have a strong powerful weapons to defend themselves in war. Homer continues to display the use of weaponry by mentioning the purpose of spears. Achilles announces,

My spirit rebels--I’ve lost the will to live, to take my stand in the world of men--unless, before all else, Hector’s battered down by my spear and gasps away his life, the blood-price for Patroclus,

Menoetius’ gallant son he’s killed and stripped (Homer 18.

As time had passed, the spear was used by Neanderthals, Indians, Greeks, Trojans, and in modern times the spear has remained as a vital tool that is more often used for hunting and fishing. In military terms, the spear has had a major adaptation by which a sharp knife was affixed to the machine gun for the sole purpose of stabbing the enemy. Moreover, the spear has been adapted by our military for the sole purpose of close combat as it was for Achilles and Hector in their fight. According to www.history.com, “Achilles vowed to take revenge. He chased Hector back to Troy, slaughtering Trojans all the way. When they got to the city walls, Hector tried to reason with his pursuer, but Achilles was not interested. He stabbed Hector in the throat, killing him” (www.history.com). Achilles knows the power of his weapon, but he abused the power to kill Hector even though it saved his life. Weapons like spears and guns are used for defense in combat or any life threatening situation. Firearms continue to evolve from the spear. According to www.medievalwarfare.info, “Spears were one of the most common personal weapons from the Stone Age until the advent of firearms” (www.medievalwarfare.info). During the Trojan War the material used was spears. Over time the style of weapon has changed. Today’s use of weaponry evolved from spears and other materials used before the