there are four people in the Iliad who die specifically because someone tries to kill Hector and hits the guy next to him instead. Two of them are Hectorâs half-brothers, and three are his charioteers:
Eniopeus
And as he came straight for them, the son of Tydeus cast his spear, but missed him, and it was Hectorâs henchman and charioteer, Eniopeus, the son of high-hearted Thebaios, he struck in the chest beside his breast as he held the horsesâ reins; he fell from the chariot, the swift-footed horses started, and there his soul and strength were undone. Dreadful grief closed over Hectorâs heart for his charioteer; that he let him lie, grieving though he was for his companion, and drove in search of a bold charioteer; nor was it long his horses lacked a master; for Hector swiftly found the bold son of Iphitos, Archeptolemos, whom he then made mount behind the swift-footed horses, and gave the reins into his hands.
Gorgythion
He spoke, and let loose another arrow from his bowstring straight at Hector, and his heart strained to hit him; but he missed him, and struck instead blameless Gorgythion in the chest with his arrow, Priamâs worthy son, whom his mother bore, she who was taken as wife from the town of Aisyme, beautiful Kastianeira like to a goddess in figure; his head hung to one side like a garden poppy made heavy with seed and the showers of spring; so his head drooped, weighed down by his helmet.
Archeptolemus
Teucer let loose another arrow from his bowstring straight at Hector, and his heart strained to hit him; but he missed even this time, for Apollo thwarted him, and it was Archeptolemos, Hectorâs bold charioteer, he struck in the chest beside his breast as he rushed to the fighting; he fell from the chariot, the swift-footed horses started, and there his soul and strength were undone. Dreadful grief closed over Hectorâs heart for his charioteer; but he let him lie, grieving though he was for his companion, and summoned Kebriones, his brother, who was nearby, to take the horsesâ reins; and when he heard he did not disobey. Hector leapt from his gleaming chariot to the ground crying a dreadful cry; and took a stone in his hand, and made straight for Teucer, his heart urgent to strike.
Cebriones
And Patroclus from his side jumped from behind his horses to the ground, holding his spear in his left hand, and with the other he seized a rock glittering and jagged, which his hand covered over, and with his strength behind it he hurled; he did not long stand in awe of the man, nor was his cast in vain, but he struck Hectorâs charioteer Kebriones, a bastard son of worthy Priam, between his eyes with the sharp rock as he held the horsesâ reins. The stone shattered his brows, the bone did not hold, his eyes fell to the ground in the dust before his feet; and he, like a diver, dropped from the strong-made chariot, and his spirit left his bones.
The Gorgythion and Archeptolemus deaths happen literally one after the other - there are no additional lines between the excerpts I posted for them (which are from Caroline Alexanderâs translation).Â
One of the downsides to being the best warrior in the Trojan army and occasionally having divine protection is that the people near you on the battlefield are at greater risk of getting killed, because everyoneâs trying to kill you extra hard but youâre not allowed to die yet :) so if you have friends or siblings nearby it probably wonât go well for them :) sucks to be Hector
