# Book VII: The Combat of Hector and Ajax explained — The Iliad > Chapter companion for The Iliad by Homer. ## What happens Hector and Paris lead a Trojan assault, killing several Greeks. The gods Apollo and Athena agree to pause the battle and inspire Hector to challenge a Greek champion to single combat. After initial hesitation, Ajax is chosen by lot to face Hector. Their duel is fierce but ends inconclusively as night falls; they exchange gifts and part. The Greeks hold a funeral for the dead and fortify their camp. In the Trojan council, Antenor proposes returning Helen, but Paris refuses, offering only treasure. Priam sends a herald to propose a truce for burying the dead, which Agamemnon accepts. ## Themes in this chapter ### Honor and Glory Hector's challenge and Ajax's acceptance are driven by the pursuit of personal glory and the honor of their respective armies. ### The Role of the Gods Athena and Apollo directly intervene to shape the day's events, agreeing to pause the battle and inspire Hector's challenge. ### Pride and Reconciliation Despite the bitterness of combat, Hector and Ajax exchange gifts and part as friends, highlighting the possibility of reconciliation. ### Grief and Loss Nestor's speech emphasizes the many Greek dead and the need for proper funeral rites, underscoring the cost of war. ## Character check-ins ### Hector Challenges the Greeks to single combat, fights Ajax to a draw, exchanges gifts, and returns safely to Troy. ### Ajax Chosen by lot to fight Hector; duels valiantly until nightfall, then exchanges gifts and returns to the Greek camp. ### Menelaus Initially volunteers to fight Hector but is restrained by Agamemnon and the other kings. ### Nestor Advises the Greeks to hold funeral rites, build a tomb, and fortify the camp; recounts his youthful exploits to shame the Greeks. ### Agamemnon Restrains Menelaus from fighting Hector, hosts a feast for Ajax, and accepts the truce for burying the dead. ### Priam Presides over the Trojan council and sends Idaeus to propose a truce to the Greeks. ### Paris Fights alongside Hector, kills Menesthius, and refuses to return Helen but offers to restore her wealth. ### Athena Descends from Olympus to intervene; agrees with Apollo to pause the battle and inspire Hector's challenge. ## Key lines > As when God bestows, To glad the long-expecting mariners, A favorable wind while wearily They beat the ocean with their polished oars, Their arms all nerveless with their length of toil, Such to the expecting Trojans was the sight Of the two chiefs. The Trojans were as relieved and joyful to see Hector and Paris return to battle as sailors are when a long-awaited wind finally rises to speed their weary rowing. _This simile emphasizes the morale boost Hector and Paris provide to the Trojan army._ > They fought indeed in bitterness of heart, But they were reconciled, and parted friends. Though they fought with fierce anger, they made peace and separated as friends. _Hector's words after exchanging gifts with Ajax highlight the theme of reconciliation amid conflict._ > Send we the Argive Helen back with all Her treasures; let the sons of Atreus lead The dame away; for now we wage the war After our faith is broken, and I deem We cannot prosper till we make amends. Antenor argues that the Trojans should return Helen and her treasures to the Greeks, because they broke the truce and cannot succeed until they atone. _Antenor's speech reflects the Trojan internal conflict over the war's cause and the desire for peace._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters/book-vii-the-combat-of-hector-and-ajax - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iliad_se/chapters