The Iliad – Books 7 & 8
Duel of Hector and Aias/ Trojan Success
Task 1:Multiple-Choice Questions
1) In Book 7, which Trojan suggests that Hector challenge one of the Greek warriors to
single combat?
a) Paris
b) Helenus
c) Priam
d) Aeneas
2. Why do the Greeks hesitate before sending a warrior to fight Hector?
a) They fear his strength and reputation
b) They are waiting for Achilles to return
c) They believe it is a trap
d) They are too exhausted from the day’s battle
3. How is the duel between Ajax and Hector decided?
a) Ajax kills Hector
b) Hector wounds Ajax and wins
c) The duel is stopped by heralds at nightfall
d) Zeus interferes and declares Hector victorious
4. What does Ajax give to Hector as a parting gift after their duel?
a) His shield
b) A silver sword
c) A golden helmet
d) A cup of wine
5. How does Hector react after fighting Ajax?
a) He flees in fear
b) He admits Ajax is the stronger warrior
c) He praises Ajax and returns to the Trojan lines
d) He swears revenge
6. What suggestion does Nestor make after the duel between Ajax and Hector?
a) That the Greeks attack at night
b) That the Greeks retreat
c) That both sides agree to a truce for burials
d) That Achilles should be recalled to battle
7. What does Hector predict when speaking to his fellow Trojans?
a) That Troy will never fall
b) That Achilles will return and kill him
c) That the gods will end the war soon
d) That he will kill Agamemnon in battle
8. How does Ajax defend the Greek ships in Book 8?
a) He fights on the front lines, hurling massive stones at the Trojans
b) He gathers the Myrmidons to push back the Trojans
c) He uses his bow to shoot Hector from a distance
d) He prays to Athena for help
9. What happens when Teukros (Teucer), Ajax’s half-brother, tries to kill Hector with his
bow?
a) Hector dodges the arrow and kills Teukros
b) Zeus breaks Teukro’s bowstring to protect Hector
c) The arrow wounds Hector, but he keeps fighting
d) Teukros refuses to shoot at Hector out of respect
10. How does Zeus ensure the Trojans gain the upper hand in Book 8?
a) He sends a storm to blind the Greeks
b) He forbids the gods from helping the Greeks
c) He personally leads the Trojan charge
d) He resurrects fallen Trojan warriors
Task 2: True or False
1. Helenus, Hector’s brother, advises him to challenge a Greek warrior to a duel. _____
2. Menelaus is the first Greek to volunteer for the duel with Hector. _____
3. Ajax wounds Hector multiple times before the duel is stopped. _____
4. Hector and Ajax exchange gifts as a sign of mutual respect. _____
5. Zeus commands Hector to withdraw from battle in Book 8. _____
6. The Greek leaders agree to burn their dead after the truce for burials. _____
7. Ajax is known for his speed and agility rather than his brute strength. _____
8. Zeus sends an eagle carrying a snake as an omen to the Greeks. _____
9. Hector leads the Trojan charge that pushes the Greeks back to their ships. _____
10. Athena and Hera disobey Zeus and secretly help the Greeks in battle. _____
Task 3: Questions
1) Why do Hector and Ajax exchange gifts after their duel? What does this reveal about
the warrior code in Ancient Greece?
2. Were burials/funerals important for the Ancient Greeks? Discuss with references from
Books 7 of The Iliad.
3. How does Zeus manipulate the course of battle in Book 8? Do you think his interference
makes the war more or less honorable?
Steps of a Sacrifice
Below are steps involved in a Greek sacrificial ritual. Put them in the correct order:
• Slaughtering the animal and collecting its blood.
• Praying to the gods for their favour.
• Choosing the animal and leading it to the altar.
• Pouring wine or water for purification.
• Burning parts of the animal as an offering.
• Sharing the remaining meat in a feast.
