<P> Hector pulls out his sword, now his only weapon, and charges . But Achilles grabbed his thrown spears that were delivered to him by the unseen Athena who wore the Hades helmet . Achilles then aimed his spear and pierced the collar bone section of Hector, the only part of the stolen Armor of Achilles that did not protect Hector . The wound was fatal yet allowed Hector to speak to Achilles . In his final moments, Hector begs Achilles for an honorable funeral, but Achilles replies that he will let the dogs and vultures devour Hector's flesh . (Throughout the Homeric poems, several references are made to dogs, vultures, and other creatures that devour the dead . It can be seen as another way of saying one will die .) Hector dies, prophesying that Achilles' death will follow soon: </P> <P> Be careful now; for I might be made into the gods' curse...upon you, on that day when Paris and Phoibos Apollo...destroy you in the Skainan gates, for all your valor . </P> <P> After his death, Achilles slits Hector's heels and passes the girdle that Ajax had given Hector through the slits . He then fastens the girdle to his chariot and drives his fallen enemy through the dust to the Danaan camp . For the next twelve days, Achilles mistreats the body, but it remains preserved from all injury by Apollo and Aphrodite . After these twelve days, the gods can no longer stand watching it and send down two messengers: Iris, another messenger god, and Thetis, the mother of Achilles . Thetis has told Achilles to allow King Priam to come and take the body for ransom . Once King Priam has been notified that Achilles will allow him to claim the body, he goes to his strongroom to withdraw the ransom . The ransom King Priam offers includes twelve fine robes, twelve white mantles, several richly embroidered tunics, ten bars of yellow gold, a special gold cup, and several cauldrons . Priam himself goes to claim his son's body, and Hermes grants him safe passage by casting a charm that will make anyone who looks at him fall asleep . </P> <P> Think of thy father, and this helpless face behold See him in me, as helpless and as old! Though not so wretched: there he yields to me, The first of men in sovereign misery! Thus forced to kneel, thus groveling to embrace The scourge and ruin of my realm and race; Suppliant my children's murderer to implore, And kiss those hands yet reeking with their gore! </P>

In what book of the iliad does hector die