Importance Of Greek Values

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The Strong Values of Greeks Ancient Greek culture is studied all over the world due to its utmost importance in understanding the society we live in today. Historians learn of ancient Greek culture through Epic Poems that describe the ancient way of life. The Iliad, an Epic Poem, is no exception to this rule and gives an idea of how life in ancient Greece played out. The Iliad reflects the values and culture of eighth century BC Greece through the sacred bond of hospitality, the importance of honor, and the respect of Gods. The sacred bond of hospitality is one of the most important values of ancient Greek culture. It is custom to treat your guest with utmost respect and kindness when being a host. This part of Greek culture is displayed …show more content…
One of the biggest display of honor in the Iliad is Achilleus’ and Agamemnon’s feud over their war prizes. Agamemnon has to give back Chryseis in order to please the gods and stop the plague on the Achaians, However this means he will no longer have a war prize. The size and value of a war prize determines the respective honor in the eyes of other Achaians and if Agamemnon has no war prize, he has no honor. In order for Agamemnon to have honor again he will have to steal someone else 's war prize. The only war prize Agamemnon thinks is valuable enough for him is Achilleus’ prize, Briseis, whom he takes. Achilleus then announces that he is “returning to Phthia, since it is much better / to go home again with my curved ships, and I am minded no longer / to stay here dishonored and pile up your wealth and your luxury”(1.165-167). Achilleus is so dishonored that he left his men and stopped fighting. Agamemnon need honor so much he is willing to lose his best warrior to get honor. He even tells Achilleus to “Go home then with your own ships and your own companions, / be king over the Myrmidons. I care nothing about you”(1.175-176). Agamemnon would rather have honor than his best warrior. His blindness pursuit for great honor will hurt the Achaians greatly. The Iliad reflects the value of honor to ancient …show more content…
Achilleus comes back into the war, after Hektor kills Patroklos, for revenge. Hektor knows this and is deciding whether to fight Achilleus head on and “be killed by him in glory in front of the city” or to “set down my shield…lean my spear up… and promise to give back Helen”. Hektor has to choose between life or death. If he chooses life he will have no honor and his family will have no honor. If he chooses death, he and his family will have eternal honor for Hektor’s sacrifice. Ultimately Hektor chooses honor over his own life. The Iliad clearly reflects the importance of honor from 8th century BC Greece through its

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