The Iliad, one of Homer's most famous works, depicts two of the greatest warriors to ever live, Hector and Achilles. Both Hector and Achilles have features unique to themselves but they also share some of the same things. Over the course of the epic Hector and Achilles are developed to be some of the most important characters in all of ancient literature. In some ways they are both the same, but their distinct differences really separate them from being anywhere near the same person. This is shown mostly in the way that Hector is more of a family man and cares for everyone while Achilles really only cares about the well being of himself.
Throughout the epic both characters are fighting in a war against each other. The epic picks up 10 years into the war, so they have both been fighting for a very long time. Achilles is the greatest warrior on the Greek side and many people believe he is the greatest warrior to ever live. On the other hand Hector is the greatest warrior that the Trojans have ever seen. Both Hector and Achilles are well respected in their army's ranks. They are both very well leaders. Without one them fighting in the war, the outcome could have been very different. For example if Achilles wasn't fighting for the Greeks from the start then this war could've been over well sooner than how its going at the point in which the epic starts. The same goes for if Hector wasn't fighting. Both of them make a huge difference in the war. Another thing that is the same for both characters is that they both die in this war fighting for their respective sides. Hector is killed by Achilles in front of the Trojan wall. On the other side, Hector's brother Paris kills Achilles. Paris shoots Achilles in the heel, which is the only part of the body where he is ˜human'. Achilles is part immortal. Achilles' mother is Thetis who is the Goddess of the sea. In the early years of Achilles' life Thetis tried to make Achilles immortal by dipping him in the river Styx.
