In today's world, a hero is commonly thought of as someone who has saved lives, or has donated his service to their country or groups of beleifs. According to Homer, though, an epic hero is a brute fighting force of a man, whom often may cruelly and unnecessarily take life, but nonetheless is the pride of his army and the land he represents. The epic hero must demonstrate a level of leadership and self control, as well as humanity to earn this title. Importance, whether relating to the gods or royalty is a characteristic the epic hero possesses, and it is through this natural hierarchy that the hero rises to become an idol of all the men he represents. Through The Iliad, both Hector, a Trojan warrior, and Achilles, a Greek warrior stand out as fighters that identify much of Homer's ideals concerning the definition of the Epic Hero. Despite this, Hector better embodies those characteristics, and ultimately is the most accurate classification of the Epic Hero in the Iliad. .
In the Iliad, Achilles is developed by Homer as the most valuable and skilled Greek fighter. He is a great warrior, vital to the Achaean army but also is the moodiest and most overly prided man in the war. Achilles knows the influence he has on his army, and takes advantage of the power that it gives him. For example, when he is disrespected by Agamemnon when the King takes his prized woman, he disregards all ties he has the to the Greeks and abandons the Trojan War. Not only does he disrespect his army by doing that, he manages to wish death upon them for the way he feels he has been treated. .
Both Hector and Achilles prove to be ruthless warriors at times, but the competitive nature that Achilles possesses is more than an appropriate level for an epic hero. He is so conceited that he often randomly, and unnecessarily kills other man simply because he is mad, or to prove that he can. For example, at the funeral of Patroklus, Achilles slays 12 Trojan warriors in the name of his friend.
