Achaeans

When examining the text of Sophocles’ Philoctetes, it demonstrates the conflict of individuals and society during the Greek period. The relationship between the individual and their society is a topic of constant interest not only to philosophers and religious thinkers, but for each of us. Every person has plans, hopes, expectations, and needs. Their society has its own, in the form of laws, traditions, and needs for the greater good. Not to mention, often times the needs and demands of the…

Greece, its culture, and its people had a major impact on the development of Western civilization. The Greek people made major scholarly advances and became the birthplace of many subjects that are still taught today. Philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and many other contributions to the scientific world brought rise to a new way of thinking and a new way of life. Greece even became the birthplace of federalism, shaping the future of politics. It is not only important to know how Greek advances…

men who make worse ones. Interestingly, it is commonly accepted that Achilles is the hero of this poem and, in some ways, this may be true. The Greek perspective, in particular, would consider Achilles the great hero that brought victory for the Achaeans and the downfall for their enemy, the Trojans. Unfortunately for the Greeks, Achilles never displays proper heroic traits for properly heroic…

basically talks about the greatest greek god like zeus, well known for his powerful leadership enables armies to head to war against the trojan soldiers. As he goes to fight against the great god achilles one of the best well known fighters of the achaeans. Everyone fears him due to his great power of his sword in war. Never was he afraid to strike someone down with one single blow. He never feared the trojans because he knew he had the power to fight some of the greatest gods. Achilles was…

Homer and Plato both write stories which revolve around characters with stubborn personalities. Plato creates the old, Greek philosopher Socrates, whom strongly believes in his life purpose as to be a philosopher. He knows what his soul desires in life and as stated in The Apology, he is not afraid of death in exchange for not being a philosopher. Achilles too has beliefs of respecting honor and avoiding dishonor. In many cases, Achilles support of the honor system shows in The Iliad. During The…

War is an awesome force for change. It drives history, creates empires, and fells dynasties. War changes the world. However, not only does it induce change on at a macroscopic level, but it also changes the individual lives that get caught up as well. People are revealed as cowards or branded as heroes, but oftentimes these are not who these people are everyday because war changes people, down to their very character and psyche. It is this idea that Homer explores in The Iliad. Throughout the…

certain death, to avenge his best friend Patroclus. He also decides to not only kill Hektor, but also to get his revenge by mutilating Hektor’s body, while Hektor himself begs him to stop and asks that he, “let not dogs devour me at the ships of the Achaeans, but accept the rich treasure of gold and bronze which my father and mother will offer you, and send my body home, that the Trojans and their wives may give me my dues of fire when I am dead” (Homer 22.338). Achilles ignores his wishes and…

striving for honor and facing the idea of death with courage. The “Iliad” centers around warrior Achilles protecting his honor and, as a result refusing to fight with King Agamemnon because of his wounded pride. Achilles attempted to make the point the Achaeans needed his military skill. After many of the warriors died including his best friend he reenters battle. Achilles arrogance and need for revenge caused much suffering and death. The “Iliad” portrays the universal…

Polyphemus (as told in Book 9). After Athene has successfully argued Odysseus’ case to Zeus, Hermes is sent to tell Calypso to release Odysseus while she heads to Ithaca, Odysseus’ home. There she encourages Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, to call all the Achaeans to an assembly. Disguised as a family friend she meets Telemachus. While the suitors amuse themselves in Odysseus’ place, Telemachus and Athene talk. She also acknowledges Telemachus as Odysseus’ son.…

takes place in Book 6, is also clearly propaganda: Aeneas descends into the Underworld in order to find his deceased father, Anchises. This scene is reminiscent of Book 11 of Homer’s Odyssey, where Odysseus travels to the Underworld and meets his Achaean comrades: Agamemnon, Achilles, and Ajax. Said reminiscence is evident to the point where Vergil essentially uses a Homeric simile verbatim, writing that “three times [Aeneas] trie[s] to fling his arms around [Anchises’s]…