Book 22 Summary

Safe in their city, the Trojans take a much needed break - except for Hector, who waits alone outside the gates to meet his fate. Apollo reveals that it is he Achilles chases, instead of Agenor, which naturally angers the Greek. He stalks away and the aged Trojan king, Priam, is the first to see him approaching the city gates. He begs his son, Hector, to shut himself up inside the gates like everyone else, but Hector believes his only option is to fight Achilles. Nevertheless, when Achilles arrives Hector is gripped by fear and tries to escape. Achilles is right behind him and chases him along the city wall. Zeus wavers for a moment, feeling sorry for Hector and wondering whether he should save him from his destiny, but Athena scorns this thought, and he tells her to do what she thinks...