Past these they raced, one escaping, one in pursuit
and the one who fled was great but the one pursuing
greater, even greater – their pace mounting in speed
since both men strove, not for a sacrificial beast
or oxhide trophy, prizes runners fight for, no,
they raced for the life of Hector breaker of horses.
– Homer
The Iliad, Book 22, lines 188-193. Achilles chases Hector around the walls of Troy. But they are not running in any any athletic competition to win a trophy, but rather for the life of Hector. The entire war of the last ten years is now down to these two warriors, each representing their respective army, Achaean and Trojan. The outcome of their battle will decide the final course of the Trojan War.