Zeus, all you immortals! Grant this boy, my son, may be like me, first in glory among the Trojans, strong and brave like me, and rule all Troy in power and one day let them say, "He is a better man than his father"

Zeus, all you immortals! Grant this boy, my son,
may be like me, first in glory among the Trojans,
strong and brave like me, and rule all Troy in power
and one day let them say, "He is a better man than his father!" –
when he comes home from battle bearing the bloody gear
of the mortal enemy he has killed in war –
a joy to his mother’s heart.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 6, lines 568-574. Hector’s parting words before going to battle in this prayer to Zeus for his infant son and wife. He asks the god to take care of his son’s reputation, so that he it will exceed that of his father. He asks also that his son be a joy to his mother. As well as being a great warrior, Hector is a committed family man, who deeply loves his wife Andromache and son.

Homer Quotes