Hector of Troy vs Zhang Qian

Hector confronted Patroclus outside the walls of Troy after Apollo had stunned him. Hector struck Patroclus with a spear through the belly, killing him. He then stripped Achilles' armor from Patroclus's body and wore it himself.

Achilles, seeking revenge for Patroclus, chased Hector around the walls of Troy three times. Hector finally turned to fight but was killed by a spear thrust to the throat. Achilles dragged his body behind his chariot.

Hector led the Trojan army in a massive assault that broke through the Greek wall and reached the ships. He attempted to set fire to the ships, which would have stranded the Greeks in Troy.

Despite his family's pleas, Hector chose to face Achilles alone outside the walls of Troy. He initially ran but later stood his ground, knowing he would likely die, to defend his city and family honor.

Emperor Wu of Han dispatched Zhang Qian as an envoy to seek an alliance with the Yuezhi against the Xiongnu. Zhang Qian was captured by the Xiongnu and held for ten years, but eventually escaped and continued his journey.

After escaping Xiongnu captivity, Zhang Qian traveled through Ferghana and Sogdiana to reach the Yuezhi in Bactria. The Yuezhi declined an alliance against the Xiongnu, but Zhang Qian gathered detailed intelligence on Central Asian states.

Zhang Qian returned to the Han capital after 13 years, bringing detailed accounts of the Western Regions, including the kingdoms of Dayuan, Kangju, and Daxia. His report provided the first reliable Chinese knowledge of Central Asia and spurred Han expansion.

Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian on a second mission to the Wusun in the Ili Valley to secure an alliance against the Xiongnu. Zhang Qian established diplomatic relations and opened the Silk Road trade routes between China and Central Asia.