Mnemosyne — Classical Greek Myth Library

While Diomedes still raged outside, Hector entered Troy at Helenus’s urging to bid the women pray to Athena and to fetch Paris back to battle. Hecuba met him with wine; he refused to pour with bloody hands and sent her with the noble women to Athena’s temple on the citadel. The priestess Theano laid an embroidered robe on the goddess’s knees and vowed sacrifices if Athena would break Diomedes’ spear; Athena refused the prayer. Hector found Paris in Helen’s chamber polishing armor, Helen beside him in bitter self-blame. Hector rebuked his brother; Paris agreed to arm and follow. Hector went on toward his own house; Andromache had already gone to the wall in fear. They met at the Scaean Gates. The nurse held the child Scamandrius—Astyanax to the people. Andromache pleaded: Achilles had already killed her father Eetion and her brothers; Hector was father, mother, and brother to her now—stay on the wall, do not make her a widow. Hector answered that shame before the Trojans and his own spirit drove him out; he foresaw Troy’s fall and her slavery, yet could not hide. He reached for his son; the horsehair crest terrified the child until Hector laughed, removed the helmet, kissed the boy, and prayed that Astyanax might one day be greater than his father. He restored the child to Andromache, comforted her with destiny’s limit, and left for the field. Paris caught up, glittering; the brothers returned together to the war.