The assembly broke up and the people went each to his ship. They made supper and thought of sleep, but Achilles still wept for his dear companion. Sleep could take no hold on him. He tossed yearning for Patroclus's might, remembering all they had done together in battle and on the sea.
Before Dawn he yoked his horses, tied Hector behind the chariot, and dragged him three times around Patroclus's tomb. Then he left the body stretched face down in the dust. Yet Apollo kept all unseemly decay from Hector and covered him with the golden aegis so Achilles could not tear the flesh.
The blessed gods looked down in pity and urged Hermes to steal the body. All were of that mind except Hera, Poseidon, and gray-eyed Athena, who held their old hate for Ilios because of Alexandros's judgment among the goddesses in his sheepfold.
On the twelfth dawn Apollo spoke among the immortals. Achilles had destroyed pity and had no shame. A man may lose someone dearer than Hector and, when he has wept, let go — for the Fates put an enduring heart in humankind. But Achilles dragged Hector around his companion's tomb. That was not good, for Hector never failed the gods with gifts.
Hera answered angrily that Hector and Achilles should not share equal honor. Hector was mortal; Achilles was child of a goddess whom she herself had given to Peleus, and all the gods had gone to that wedding.
Zeus told her the honor of the two would not be equal — yet Hector had been dearest to the gods in Ilios. They would not let Hermes steal him secretly. Let Thetis be called: Achilles must give Hector back and take ransom from Priam.