The Iliad is a piece of epic poetry written by Homer in the ancient Greek time period. Concepts of war are seen throughout the poem and are practically the main topic of the whole story. In comparison to today’s view of war we can see many differences. Even modern Americans have mixed perceptions of war and soldiers. Despite the fact that ancient Greece and modern America have very different views of war, they both see some sense of glory in the battlefield. The Iliad is about the Trojan war. This war is thought to have taken place around 1200 B.C. and the poem begins nine years after the start of the war. Some of the most remembered sections of the story have to do with Achilles, a demigod. The story is wrapped up in books 22 through 24.
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For example, both parties have a fascination with war. The Greeks read extremely long poems about it and Americans pump it through the media everyday. Some of the most popular video games and television shows have to do with war. In a like manner, soldiers are widely respected. The Greeks would show this by putting their best soldiers in high positions and Americans show this by how they revere veterans. In addition, both see glory in those who die in the battlefield. This is shown in the Iliad when Hector dies. The whole city mourns for their hero. Today, we can see this at American soldier’s funerals. These people that die are held in memory with very high respect. There is definitely glory shown in all these …show more content…
The Iliad represents a lot of the ideals the ancient Greeks had. It shows that the Greeks believes war was the best way for a man to receive glory, horrible, yet beautiful, and a man’s responsibility to his homeland. On the other hand, Americans view war as a not so honorable thing, a harsh reality, and an occupation. Despite these differences, both parties believed that there is some sense of glory in war. Desk, News. “More Americans oppose the war in Afghanistan than any other recent American conflict.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 30 Dec. 2013, www.pbs.org/newshour/ rundown/more-americans-oppose-the-war-in-afghanistan-than-any-other-recent- american-conflict/. Accessed 12 Sept.
For example, both parties have a fascination with war. The Greeks read extremely long poems about it and Americans pump it through the media everyday. Some of the most popular video games and television shows have to do with war. In a like manner, soldiers are widely respected. The Greeks would show this by putting their best soldiers in high positions and Americans show this by how they revere veterans. In addition, both see glory in those who die in the battlefield. This is shown in the Iliad when Hector dies. The whole city mourns for their hero. Today, we can see this at American soldier’s funerals. These people that die are held in memory with very high respect. There is definitely glory shown in all these …show more content…
The Iliad represents a lot of the ideals the ancient Greeks had. It shows that the Greeks believes war was the best way for a man to receive glory, horrible, yet beautiful, and a man’s responsibility to his homeland. On the other hand, Americans view war as a not so honorable thing, a harsh reality, and an occupation. Despite these differences, both parties believed that there is some sense of glory in war. Desk, News. “More Americans oppose the war in Afghanistan than any other recent American conflict.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 30 Dec. 2013, www.pbs.org/newshour/ rundown/more-americans-oppose-the-war-in-afghanistan-than-any-other-recent- american-conflict/. Accessed 12 Sept.