Hector's Diary: Patroclus's Death

I killed a great man today, the Greek man Patroclus, and best friend of Achilles. He was leading an army of men and had disguised himself as Achilles by wearing his armor. My men were getting hit hard by Patroclus's forces and had been forced to fall back to the walls of Troy. I was standing at the Scaean Gates watching the battle and trying to decide if I should sound my men to retreat to within the safety of the tall walls of Troy or stay and attempt to back Patroclus and his Myrmidons back toward their hollow ships. My uncle soon persuaded me that Apollo would help me fight the Greeks and that I should stay in the fight.

We fought all day and seemed to be winning at first, but by dusk my men were exhausted and Patroclus fought on pushing my troops ever backward. Patroclus had somehow lost his balance and dropped his shield. His spear broke and he seemed to be fatigued, lost in a daze. It wasn't until then that Patroclus was stabbed in the back by a Trojan spear. I was overjoyed to see him fall to his knees, blood covering Achilles armor, and for the briefest moment I thought I was staring at Achilles beaten broken body. Apollo, I sense your great hand had something to do with this victory.

I rushed upon Patroclus and lunged my spear into his chest wanting him to know that it was I who killed him. He told me before he died that it was my fate to die by Achilles. If I am to die I will make it a glorious death! I will end my life and all will know man-slaying Hector once protected them. Hector who fought Achilles so that Trojan woman would not be enslaved. I removed Achilles armor from Patroclus's lifeless corpse and took it for myself. I would have taken Patroclus's stinking hide too if Ajax hadn't been protecting his fallen friend. I wish I could see Achilles rage when he learns of his friend's death.