L1/1015

The clock has been made in the Empire style. The sculptural composition presents two heroes of the Trojan war attacking each other. Achilles is armed with a javelin. A growling lion is depicted on his shield.

Hector has a short sword and a shield with Pegasus. The fighting men are at the culmination point of long and desperate struggle, their figures are full of tension and dynamics ready to repulse and strike a crushing blow. An eagle with spread wings crowns the composition.

Achilles and Hector are the heroes of the Trojan war (around 1260 BC) caused by abducting of beautiful Helen, the wife of Menelaus, who was the king of Sparta, and stealing his treasures by Paris from Troy.

After ten years of war the main developments took place. Achilles who had been insulted by Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek army, abandoned further military operations and the Greeks began to sustain a defeat.

Taking the advantage of the moment the Trojans led by Hector, who had become known for his talent of commander, personal bravery and extraordinary strength, forced the Greeks back to their ships. Seeing the critical situation the Greeks were in, Achilles’ closest friend Patroclus begged Achilles for permission to use his armour and join the battle. The Trojans’ attack was beaten off, but Patroclus was killed by Hector, who got Achilles’ divine armour as a trophy.

The friendship of Patroclus and Achilles was proverbial. Having heard of his friend’s death the infuriated Achilles went into the thick of battle in the new armour forged by Hephaestus.

Homer described the struggle between Achilles and Hector as follows: Achilles with his mighty hand threw the spear into Hector. Hector pressed himself to the ground and thus escaped the fatal blow. Athena picked up Achilles’ spear and gave it back to the hero. Hector struck in the middle of Achilles’ shield, but the spear bounced off the shield, as if it was a light cane.

Hector had not another spear and taking out his sword Hector rushed at Achilles. Achilles rushed at Hector as well. Achilles hit his neck and mortally wounded Hector fell on the groundA Achilles tied his body to his chariot and hurried to the camp. Hector’s father came to Achilles with rich gifts and begged him to give back the body of his elder son to bury him with dignity.

The Greeks buried Patroclus paying him last respect. This is the end of Homer’s “Iliad”.

Some time later Paris’ arrows killed Achilles. It was Apollo, who directed the arrows. One of them hit his only vulnerable place — his heel, another hit his breast. His armour and arms received Odysseus, the bravest among Greeks.

8-day solid brass “bim-bam” movement, which indicates the time of the hour by striking the number of hours and a passing strike on the half hour.

Matching candelabra sets available, models L5/1002, L5/1006.