In the Iliad by homer, who was the better hero, Achilles or Hector and why?

Question

Specifially when Achilles and Hector battle for the last time.

Answer 1

well hector was a hero for the trojans
achilles was a hero for the greeks
so i cant say one is better.but hector seems to be more noble hearted,cuz he fought to defend his family and his city
though achilles prooves that he has a noble heart too,wanting to revenge his friend
but achilles wanted to conquer troy and kill the ppl,while hector only wanted to defend his ppl.
also achilles prooves hes cruel,after he kills hector,he ties his corpse to a chariot and drags it until the trojans finally get the body to bury him.

Answer 2

Are you thinking of a modern definition of "hero" or an ancient one? If you're talking about ancient heroes, Achilles was by far the better; if modern, Hector. Protecting the family had little to do with ancient conceptions of heroism - the ancient hero was the one who killed the most men and got the most shiny stuff. There was nothing "patriotic" about the Iliadic hero; heck, Greece wasn't even a nation until several centuries later. In the Iliad, Achilles is the prototypical ancient hero.

Hector, on the other hand, fits nicely in the conception of the modern hero - the defender and protector of his family, city, and fellow man.

And, let's face it - Achilles is better because Hector died. Not only that, but Achilles killed Hector. If two basketball teams face off and one wins, that one's better - true? True.

Answer 3

There is no "better Hero" here. Hector fought to protect his home and his family, Achilles betrayed the orders of Agamemnon to avenge his brother, that Hector gave a greivance period because of the deception. BUT, Hector Died a better hero because Achilles lowered himself by defiling the corpse of Hector in an Un Honorable way.In my mind they were both Heros, and will remain Heros until the end of time.

Answer 4

Hector was defending his home and family. Achilles was following the orders of a man he knew was unworthy. In my mind, that makes Hector a hero, and Achilles a tool. Sorry, no specifics

Answer 5

To be honest, though I would gravitate a bit to Hector's side because he was defending Troy, I think none of the two were any better. If you think about the whole thing, it was a battle fought for a ridiculous cause. If the battle's cause were for the absolute good and not because of some couple's indiscretion, then I wouldn't have a hard time picking out who the hero is.

Answer 6

I see Hector as a man defending his home life and loves,He had a reason for his battle with Achilles who fought only to be a hero,I consider that he was a man of his times,war was a business to him,fought to bring glory.Hector was the real hero he fought to his death,defending what he loved.