Menelaos protects the body of Patroclos until Hektor arrives. Menelaos seeks the help of Telamonian Aias, and in that time Hektor takes Achilles' armor. When Menelaos and Aias arrive, Hektor withdraws. Lykian Glaukos upbraids Hektor for abandoning the body of Patroclos; he argues that it could have been traded for the body of the dead Lykian Sarpedon. Hektor dons Achilles' armor and leads the Trojans after Patroclos' body. The Achaeans rally in defense. Led by the Aiantes, a day-long tug of war commences.

Meanwhile, the immortal horses of Achilles cry for their dead charioteer and refuse to respond to anyone else. Zeus must move them to return to the ships.

When Aias goes to the rescue of the men in Achilles' chariot, Menelaos is spurred to the defense of Patroclos' body. When the Aiantes return, Menelaos sends a messenger to Achilles with the news of Achilles' death. Then, the Aiantes hold off Hektor and Aeneas while Menelaos and Meriones carry Patroclos back to the ship.