In ancient Greece, honor and glory were central attributes to one’s prestige and renown. As illustrated throughout the Iliad, heroes’ lives were based upon their honor and glory in all forms. Focusing on the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles, Book I of the Iliad by Homer, explores how honor and glory define their characters along with influencing their actions and decisions.
To understand the motivation of the heroes in the Iliad it is critical to have an understanding of honor and glory. By completing great heroic actions and deeds citizens in ancient Greece were able to achieve glory. Often witnesses would tell of these great deeds spreading the renown of the individual. By acclaiming these actions, the tales would spread far …show more content…
One’s social status was heavily dependent on whether they were a respected individual or not. Thus, if one performed incredible feats of glory then there was potential for them to become a figure of prominence. Ancient Greek societal dynamics were not fixed and were able to fluctuate. An individual was able to rise through the ranks of society by preforming honorable and charismatic actions. Gaining the respect and loyalty of people was key in holding onto power in Greece and can be seen in both the gods and men in the …show more content…
When Achilles calls council, to discuss and demand that Chryseis be returned to her father Chryses, Agamemnon sees this as a challenge to his honor and leadership. In response, he threatens to take Briseis away from Achilles as a replacement prize, placing his honor above the wellbeing of his army. To this, Achilles lashes out at Agamemnon, retorting that he is, “clothed in shamelessness, thinking of profit, how shall any man of the Achaeans obey your words with a ready heart either to go on a journey or to fight against men with force?” (147-149) Through these words, Achilles broke out from underneath Agamemnon, refusing to take his orders and stating that the men he leads will not
To understand the motivation of the heroes in the Iliad it is critical to have an understanding of honor and glory. By completing great heroic actions and deeds citizens in ancient Greece were able to achieve glory. Often witnesses would tell of these great deeds spreading the renown of the individual. By acclaiming these actions, the tales would spread far …show more content…
One’s social status was heavily dependent on whether they were a respected individual or not. Thus, if one performed incredible feats of glory then there was potential for them to become a figure of prominence. Ancient Greek societal dynamics were not fixed and were able to fluctuate. An individual was able to rise through the ranks of society by preforming honorable and charismatic actions. Gaining the respect and loyalty of people was key in holding onto power in Greece and can be seen in both the gods and men in the …show more content…
When Achilles calls council, to discuss and demand that Chryseis be returned to her father Chryses, Agamemnon sees this as a challenge to his honor and leadership. In response, he threatens to take Briseis away from Achilles as a replacement prize, placing his honor above the wellbeing of his army. To this, Achilles lashes out at Agamemnon, retorting that he is, “clothed in shamelessness, thinking of profit, how shall any man of the Achaeans obey your words with a ready heart either to go on a journey or to fight against men with force?” (147-149) Through these words, Achilles broke out from underneath Agamemnon, refusing to take his orders and stating that the men he leads will not