How Does Akhilleus Change In Ancient Greek Culture

Essay One Ancient Greek culture revolved around kleos and tίme (glory and honor). They men were raised to be warriors and they strictly followed the heroic code, which is depicted in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. The warriors strive for greatness and glory by fighting in battle and taking away glory from others by killing them. The highest glory one warrior can receive is by dying during battle. At the beginning of the poem, Akhilleus was one of the great warriors for the Akhaian army and exemplified the heroic code in every aspect of his life. Throughout the course of the poem, however, you see a great change in Akhilleus’ outlook on life. After Patroklos’ death, Akhilleus rejects the heroic code and begins to lives out the rest of his life in revenge. …show more content…
“The great runner, Akhilleus…” (Homer, lines 253-254). Here, Homer is using the epithet ‘the great runner’ to express that he was seen as this great warrior who lived by the heroic code. He shows the value and importance the Greeks place on kleos because when Akhilleus left Pythia to join the war he knew there was a possibility that he would not return home, but that was a chance he was willing to take if it meant that he would gain honor. By following the heroic code, the warriors put battle above their life. They knew each time they entered battle that they might never make it back home, but they would gain the utmost glory if they had been killed in battle. “My own part, as I am older, is to drive it home. No one will show contempt for what I have to say, surely not Agamemnon, our commander. (Homer, lines 70-73). Here Nestor is demonstrating how most warriors do not live to fight into their old age, and since he has no one sees him as honorable so no one will listen to