This surprised me. Lately the Trojans had been gaining the advantage, driving the Greeks back to their warships, even setting one afire. Hector, King Priam’s favorite son, had led the attack against the ships. “We’re driving those mongrel dogs away!” he exulted, and it seemed he was right.But on this particular day, forty-seven Trojan soldiers appeared, bringing news that the tide had turned. Achilles, Greece’s greatest warrior, had just killed Hector in single combat. This was a terrible blow to the Trojans: they loved Hector as only people under siege can love a strong protector.And now, to their horror, Achilles had tied Hector’s body to his chariot and was dragging it around the city walls. The prince, he swore, would never have a proper burial; his corpse would go to the dogs and crows.It was an act of defilement so obscenely vengeful that even the gods were taken aback.“Steal it.”“What?”“You’re the Prince of Thieves; steal Hector’s body. Achilles is destroying it.”
