From: botelle@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Justin Botelle)
Newsgroups: rec.games.netrek
Subject: Re: INL proposal.. long.. possible reprint
Keywords: none
Date: 28 Sep 92 02:51:53 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <1992Sep26.190409.26498@wixer.cactus.org) rhodesia@wixer.cactus.org (Felix S. Gallo) writes:
)botelle@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Justin Botelle) writes:
)
))From: danhua@garnet.berkeley.edu (Dan Hua)
))To: botelle@pixmap.seas.upenn.edu
))
))Well Justin Adm. Hector (didn't he got killed by Achilles?)  :)
))
))/* yes, but Achilles was a cry baby.. and his death was far less noble */

I really don't want to turn this into alt.mythology  (I still have the scars
from flames from one of the umd guys who just decided that he didn't care
to hear any of this on r.g.n... or was it a.g.x.?), but...
)
)Hector ran three times around Troy trying to escape Achilles, and finally
)bit the dust when he had to face him.  His corpse was pierced at the heels
)and roped by leather straps to Achilles' chariot; he was then dragged around
)the city walls in full view of his family.
)
)By comparison, Achilles went out to avenge his friend and was slain from
)behind by a cowardly Trojan.
)
)If you like, I could provide an annotated Latin transcript with translation.

First of all, the Latin transcript would not help (though I would be able to
translate it) since the tale was originally written in Greek (transcribed is
better, since these tales were older than the written word in those parts).

Anyway, the backdrop to this was that the Trojans, led by Hector were beating
the Greeks back to their ships.  Achilles was not fighting because of an
inflamed ego brought about by some quarrel between he and Agammemnon (over
Bryseis..sp if you must).  Anyway, Achilles was moping in his tent while his
fellow Greeks were getting massacred (says something about character).  So,
Achilles' lover, Patrocolus decides to don Achilles armor in the hopes that
the mere sight of him will scare the Trojans off.  Hector promptly slays him,
and takes his armor, and is very disturbed to find that it was not Achilles.

Finding out about the death of his lover, Achilles fills with rage and
decides to draw some Trojan blood.  The Greeks, led by Achilles, push the 
Trojans back to the walls of Troy.  Hector is the last Trojan at the gate 
(covering his withdrawal).  He decides that if he can kill Achilles, then
he can get the Greeks off his land, and he can live in peace.  So, against
the cries of his countryman, he remains outside the  walls of Troy.

He then gets a bad omen, and realizes that his god (Apollo) ain't gonna help
him.  So he runs.  He tried to get Achilles close enough to the walls of
Troy so his countrymen can throw gunk on Achilles.  No such luck.

Hector gives up runner scumming.  He decides to stand and fight and die.  His
spear shatters on Achilles' shield.  Achilles' spear goes through his throat
(it use to be his armor, so he knew the "Achilles heel" :).

Achilles dies when Paris, one of Hector's 49 brothers, shoots him with an arrow
fired from the walls or Troy in his heel.  (Tells you which way he was facing).

Hector has the last laugh, though.  His cousin, Aeneas eventually settles
in Italy and is the progenitor (eventually) of the Romans, who really have 
their way with the Greeks (and everyone else for that matter).

Anyway, if you have any further questions/comments, let's keep this to mail,
as I"m sure I've lost most of r.g.n. by now.

)rear ensign sunscreamer
)minister of truth, HELL'S BAGELS
)-- 
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)Felix Sebastian Gallo                              rhodesia@wixer.cactus.org
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Justin