Then rose up nine chiefs of the Greeks, all ready to fight with Hector, and lots were cast to see which of these, the most valiant of the host, should meet with the champion of the men of Troy. To Ajax the giant-like did the lot fall, and glad was the heart of the hero that so it should be. In his shining bronze armour did Ajax array him, and as he strode forward with a smile on his stern face and his long spear brandished in his hand, he looked as looks Mars the terrible when he goes forth to battle. The Trojans trembled at the sight, and the heart of Hector beat faster, as the giant, with his great bronze shield, came towards him with mighty strides. ‘Achilles, the lion-hearted, sitteth by his ships, yet shalt thou be shown, Hector, that the Greeks have other warriors in their ranks,’ cried Ajax. ‘But thou shalt begin the battle.’ ‘Am I a woman or a feeble boy who knows naught of fighting, Ajax?’ answered Hector. ‘Well do I know the rules of the great game of war. But I have no mind to smite thee by cunning. Openly shall I smite thee, if I smite at all.’ Thereat he hurled at Ajax his bronze-shod spear. But on his mighty shield of sevenfold hide, bronze-covered, Ajax caught the blow, and only six folds of the shield were pierced. Then did Ajax the giant hurt his spear, and it passed through Hector’s bright shield and his corslet, and rent the doublet on his thigh. But Hector swerved aside and so escaped death. Then did each grip a fresh spear, and, like angry lions, did they rush each at the other. Again did Hector smite the shield of Ajax with his spear, but the spear point was bent back and unpierced was the shield. And Ajax, with a mighty drive, sent his spear through the shield of Hector, and the point pierced his neck, so that the dark blood gushed forth. But even then Hector ceased not to fight. From the ground he seized up a great jagged stone and hurled it against the shield of Ajax, until the bronze rang again. A stone, greater by far, did Ajax then hurl, and the shield of Hector was crushed inwards, and Hector was borne backwards, and fell, and had been slain, had not Apollo, with invisible hands, raised him up. Their swords they drew then, and would have fought on, had not heralds rushed between them and with their staves held them apart. ‘Fight no more, dear sons,’ said the herald of Troy. ‘Well do we see that ye both are brave warriors, and well-beloved of Zeus. But night falleth, and bids you cease the combat.’ Said Ajax: ‘For Hector it is to speak, for he challenged the bravest of the Greeks to battle. As he wills, so shall I do.’