The Greeks and The Trojans Fighting to the Death gives a good depiction of what the Iliad is about
Case Study: The Iliad
The cultural values of society are often shown through the many aspects of their art, architecture and especially the literature that the specific civilization manufactures. This can be seen in none other than the ancient Greek civilization which brought the Iliad and used it as a way to showcase the values of their society. These value included a society that glorified its warriors and had an obsession with; the warrior culture, the idea of cowardice as opposed to bravery, celebration of combat, how women are expected to support their men, and remembrance.
Background:
The decline of the Mycenaean civilization caused great struggles in Greece. The abrupt collapse of this civilization caused social instability creating the necessity of defense. The times that Homer wrote about were filled with strife generating the need for a strong defensive community in which warriors were glorified and were a ruling class because they were the only class fit to lead.
Homer is given credit for writing the Iliad however the original author(s) of this poem is not positively known. Homer could have been a group of writers as no records have ever been found of the actual poet. The Greek poet Homer nonetheless produced the current form around the 9th century BCE. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. The story outlines a few weeks in the final year of the Trojan War. The Trojan War started because Paris, son of the King of Troy, eloped with Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. It begins with the Greek army dying of the plague in large numbers. This is because King Agamemnon has stolen Chrysies, the daughter of the priest Chryses, and he is persuaded to return her. He then steals Briseis who belongs to Achilles. Achilles is furious and goes back to his ship with his men and refuses to fight. He asks his mother, to go to Olympus and ask Zeus to help the Trojans to defeat Agamemnon's soldiers. She does, and huge numbers of Agamemnon's men are killed. Achilles’ beloved companion, Patroklus, is killed in battle, by Hector and Achilles is convinced by his mother Thetis to return to the battle. Achilles kills Hector. Instead of allowing him to be returned for decent burial, Achilles taunts the Trojans by tying Hector's body to the back of his chariot and dragging it behind him as he drives his chariot around Troy every morning. In the end, King Priam comes to Achilles and begs for the return of his son, and Achilles relents and lets him have Hector's body for burial. It was composed around 800-725 B.C and written down sometime between 725 and 675 B.C. The Historical backdrop is the time of the Bronze Age collapse in early 12th century B.C. Homer is separated from his subject matter by about 400 years, the period known as the Greek dark ages. The poem was written in ancient Greece, it is thought, because there is virtually no evidence for there to be a clear conclusion that Homer lived in a settlement such as Chios or Smyrna. The Poem looks at the serious matter of war, and at the devastating effects of armed conflict. Good men on both sides die, and their families and friends suffer terribly because of their loss. And it raises the issue of the individual and his part in society – to what extent are individual matters, such as honor, checked by obligations to the larger society.
The decline of the Mycenaean civilization caused great struggles in Greece. The abrupt collapse of this civilization caused social instability creating the necessity of defense. The times that Homer wrote about were filled with strife generating the need for a strong defensive community in which warriors were glorified and were a ruling class because they were the only class fit to lead.
Homer is given credit for writing the Iliad however the original author(s) of this poem is not positively known. Homer could have been a group of writers as no records have ever been found of the actual poet. The Greek poet Homer nonetheless produced the current form around the 9th century BCE. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. The story outlines a few weeks in the final year of the Trojan War. The Trojan War started because Paris, son of the King of Troy, eloped with Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. It begins with the Greek army dying of the plague in large numbers. This is because King Agamemnon has stolen Chrysies, the daughter of the priest Chryses, and he is persuaded to return her. He then steals Briseis who belongs to Achilles. Achilles is furious and goes back to his ship with his men and refuses to fight. He asks his mother, to go to Olympus and ask Zeus to help the Trojans to defeat Agamemnon's soldiers. She does, and huge numbers of Agamemnon's men are killed. Achilles’ beloved companion, Patroklus, is killed in battle, by Hector and Achilles is convinced by his mother Thetis to return to the battle. Achilles kills Hector. Instead of allowing him to be returned for decent burial, Achilles taunts the Trojans by tying Hector's body to the back of his chariot and dragging it behind him as he drives his chariot around Troy every morning. In the end, King Priam comes to Achilles and begs for the return of his son, and Achilles relents and lets him have Hector's body for burial. It was composed around 800-725 B.C and written down sometime between 725 and 675 B.C. The Historical backdrop is the time of the Bronze Age collapse in early 12th century B.C. Homer is separated from his subject matter by about 400 years, the period known as the Greek dark ages. The poem was written in ancient Greece, it is thought, because there is virtually no evidence for there to be a clear conclusion that Homer lived in a settlement such as Chios or Smyrna. The Poem looks at the serious matter of war, and at the devastating effects of armed conflict. Good men on both sides die, and their families and friends suffer terribly because of their loss. And it raises the issue of the individual and his part in society – to what extent are individual matters, such as honor, checked by obligations to the larger society.
Cultural Developments
Warrior Culture:
In The Iliad examples of the high regards the Greek society has for their warriors is the strongest social force detectable for men who shun the warrior culture or do not fully engage in it face being criticized or even ostracized
-Revolves around masculine ideas of duty, honor and bravery.
-In such a society there is no greater glory that can come to a man than if he dies in battle or for a noble cause especially if the cause concerns the defense of one’s homeland or family
-Diomedes attempts to rally his fellow soldiers by offering wisdom in a very short but powerful quote, “I know only cowards depart from battle/ a real warrior stands his ground/ whether he is hit or hits another.” (11.432-435)
-This quote defines the entire warrior culture presented in the text. First of all being a coward in the society presented in the poem is the worst label a man can wear. Being a real warrior is something that is hailed as an incredibly important trait in the warrior culture.
-Being a trait tied to the men the message is that to be a “real warrior” is parallel to being a real man. Furthermore, there is a certain degree of fatalism tied to this statement as it expresses the idea that “Whether he is hit or hits another” everyone eventually faces death and the best one can do is simply remain engaged in combat for better or for worse.
- The notions of masculinity and bravery along with fatalism shape several encounters and events in the text and define several characters
- This value was conveyed in Greek culture especially by the Spartans who raised and taught their sons at a very young age in the battlefield to fight and practice nothing but fighting.
In The Iliad examples of the high regards the Greek society has for their warriors is the strongest social force detectable for men who shun the warrior culture or do not fully engage in it face being criticized or even ostracized
-Revolves around masculine ideas of duty, honor and bravery.
-In such a society there is no greater glory that can come to a man than if he dies in battle or for a noble cause especially if the cause concerns the defense of one’s homeland or family
-Diomedes attempts to rally his fellow soldiers by offering wisdom in a very short but powerful quote, “I know only cowards depart from battle/ a real warrior stands his ground/ whether he is hit or hits another.” (11.432-435)
-This quote defines the entire warrior culture presented in the text. First of all being a coward in the society presented in the poem is the worst label a man can wear. Being a real warrior is something that is hailed as an incredibly important trait in the warrior culture.
-Being a trait tied to the men the message is that to be a “real warrior” is parallel to being a real man. Furthermore, there is a certain degree of fatalism tied to this statement as it expresses the idea that “Whether he is hit or hits another” everyone eventually faces death and the best one can do is simply remain engaged in combat for better or for worse.
- The notions of masculinity and bravery along with fatalism shape several encounters and events in the text and define several characters
- This value was conveyed in Greek culture especially by the Spartans who raised and taught their sons at a very young age in the battlefield to fight and practice nothing but fighting.
Men who defined what it meant to be a warrior in the Iliad
Cowardice vs. Bravery
- There are several examples of characters who struggle with the societal expectations that men engage in combat to preserve their honor, one of which is Paris the son of Priam.
- Although he is a masculine character in The Iliad, which is proved by his act of stealing Helen away from Menelaus, he ends up being afraid to fight his aggressor as he approaches as which is explained in the quote, “But when Alexandros caught sight of him / emerging from the ranks, his heart misgave, / and he recoiled on his companions, not/ to incur the deadly clash” (3.35-38). He is not recoiling because he does not agree with warfare, but because he does not wish to become mortally wounded. Even though it is evidenced throughout the text that it is an honorable cause to die in battle the fear of dying prevents Paris/ Alexandros from following through thus making him a coward in the eyes of his enemies and his own people.
- This act of cowardice provokes a response from Hector, who in turn begins to insult his manhood and honor. After witnessing Paris back down from the fight, Hector mockingly says, “Paris, the great lover, a gallant sight! / You should have had no seed and died unmarried. / Would to god you had! / Better than living this way in dishonor / in everyone’s contempt” (3.45 49) This response from Hector is important because he is calling his brother a coward and he will suffer contempt and dishonor for not being willing to die in battle and also because he directly attacks his manhood, suggesting that he is not worthy to bear children because he has brought such shame on himself.
-When Hector talks about Paris’s status as a “great lover” and a “gallant sight” he is subtly mocking this soft trait in a man and grouping his characteristics as a lover (coward) as opposed to a strong fighter such as himself or Achilles (brave) in with cowardice and weakness.
- This event and Hector’s response sums up a great deal of the view that the society then had of what was brave and what was cowardly and that men seen as cowards endured a fate worse than death by being subject to ridicule and even contempt by being forced to live in their shame.
- There are several examples of characters who struggle with the societal expectations that men engage in combat to preserve their honor, one of which is Paris the son of Priam.
- Although he is a masculine character in The Iliad, which is proved by his act of stealing Helen away from Menelaus, he ends up being afraid to fight his aggressor as he approaches as which is explained in the quote, “But when Alexandros caught sight of him / emerging from the ranks, his heart misgave, / and he recoiled on his companions, not/ to incur the deadly clash” (3.35-38). He is not recoiling because he does not agree with warfare, but because he does not wish to become mortally wounded. Even though it is evidenced throughout the text that it is an honorable cause to die in battle the fear of dying prevents Paris/ Alexandros from following through thus making him a coward in the eyes of his enemies and his own people.
- This act of cowardice provokes a response from Hector, who in turn begins to insult his manhood and honor. After witnessing Paris back down from the fight, Hector mockingly says, “Paris, the great lover, a gallant sight! / You should have had no seed and died unmarried. / Would to god you had! / Better than living this way in dishonor / in everyone’s contempt” (3.45 49) This response from Hector is important because he is calling his brother a coward and he will suffer contempt and dishonor for not being willing to die in battle and also because he directly attacks his manhood, suggesting that he is not worthy to bear children because he has brought such shame on himself.
-When Hector talks about Paris’s status as a “great lover” and a “gallant sight” he is subtly mocking this soft trait in a man and grouping his characteristics as a lover (coward) as opposed to a strong fighter such as himself or Achilles (brave) in with cowardice and weakness.
- This event and Hector’s response sums up a great deal of the view that the society then had of what was brave and what was cowardly and that men seen as cowards endured a fate worse than death by being subject to ridicule and even contempt by being forced to live in their shame.
Celebration of Combat:
- The epithets celebrate combat in The Iliad in equal measure by descriptions such as “master of the battle-cry” and “warlike” implying that it is certainly an honorable profession to be a warrior.
- The celebration of combat goes hand in hand with the desire of glory which is a recurring theme in the Iliad. By craving glory before every battle and then celebrating after that battle had been won is a representation, especially for Achilles, that combat was to be celebrated because of what came after it for the winners, everlasting fame.
- In a description which takes place in the last lines of Book XX, Achilles is in battle gloriously triumphing “Thus beneath great hearted Achilles / his whole- hoofed horses trampled corpses and shields together / and with blood all the axletree below was sprinkled and the rims that ran around the car / for blood drops from the horses’ hooves splashed them and blood- drops from the tires of the wheels / But the son of Peleus pressed on to win him glory / flecking with gore his irresistible hands”
- In addition to the idea of what combat brought to a soldier the physical aspects of conquest and battle brought were also very appealing. Once the soldiers had conquered a city they could go in and burn it down, take all of the treasure and women if they wished and that was okay because they had earned that right. This gave them even more reason to celebrate combat because they gained riches and took the women they wanted to use them for whatever reason.
- This idea can be seen throughout the ancient history not only of Greece but also the Romans after each conquest in their expanding empire raped and pillaged and stole from the cities they took simply because they could.
- The epithets celebrate combat in The Iliad in equal measure by descriptions such as “master of the battle-cry” and “warlike” implying that it is certainly an honorable profession to be a warrior.
- The celebration of combat goes hand in hand with the desire of glory which is a recurring theme in the Iliad. By craving glory before every battle and then celebrating after that battle had been won is a representation, especially for Achilles, that combat was to be celebrated because of what came after it for the winners, everlasting fame.
- In a description which takes place in the last lines of Book XX, Achilles is in battle gloriously triumphing “Thus beneath great hearted Achilles / his whole- hoofed horses trampled corpses and shields together / and with blood all the axletree below was sprinkled and the rims that ran around the car / for blood drops from the horses’ hooves splashed them and blood- drops from the tires of the wheels / But the son of Peleus pressed on to win him glory / flecking with gore his irresistible hands”
- In addition to the idea of what combat brought to a soldier the physical aspects of conquest and battle brought were also very appealing. Once the soldiers had conquered a city they could go in and burn it down, take all of the treasure and women if they wished and that was okay because they had earned that right. This gave them even more reason to celebrate combat because they gained riches and took the women they wanted to use them for whatever reason.
- This idea can be seen throughout the ancient history not only of Greece but also the Romans after each conquest in their expanding empire raped and pillaged and stole from the cities they took simply because they could.
The men are being celebrated as they go off into war
Women are Expected to support their men
- While it is noble to defend one’s honor and family at all costs, women are expected to support the male centered society of warriors and allow men to adhere to their ideas of dying in battle if necessary.
- For example, as Andromache, Hector’s wife pleads with him not to go off into war since certain horrible things await him, he tries to soothe her but instead of offering gentle words he simply defends his role as a man in a warrior society, saying “But my shame before the Trojans and their wives / With their long robes trailing, would be too terrible / If I hung back from battle like a coward. / And my heart won’t let me. I have learned to be / One of the best, to fight in Troy’s first ranks, defending my father’s honor and my own” (6.465-469). This passage reflects his duty as being more important to his own honor as well as those in the family line of masculinity than to the females in his life.
- The women of The Iliad attempt to keep the men from a sure death in combat, preferring to have them at home because they do not understand what the men are trying to achieve with their fighting. This however does not fit into the masculine and warrior culture model this society functions within.
- While it is noble to defend one’s honor and family at all costs, women are expected to support the male centered society of warriors and allow men to adhere to their ideas of dying in battle if necessary.
- For example, as Andromache, Hector’s wife pleads with him not to go off into war since certain horrible things await him, he tries to soothe her but instead of offering gentle words he simply defends his role as a man in a warrior society, saying “But my shame before the Trojans and their wives / With their long robes trailing, would be too terrible / If I hung back from battle like a coward. / And my heart won’t let me. I have learned to be / One of the best, to fight in Troy’s first ranks, defending my father’s honor and my own” (6.465-469). This passage reflects his duty as being more important to his own honor as well as those in the family line of masculinity than to the females in his life.
- The women of The Iliad attempt to keep the men from a sure death in combat, preferring to have them at home because they do not understand what the men are trying to achieve with their fighting. This however does not fit into the masculine and warrior culture model this society functions within.
A powerful image on a pot showing hector and his wife and their child who is grasping onto his father's helmet as if to say don't go and Hector standing away from him holding his headpiece instead of his child symbolizing that he chooses his duties before his family
Remembrance:
- The heroes of The Iliad live in a world influenced by shame culture; they are not driven to action by guilt or morals, but by the need for honor in the eyes of other men. The warriors strive for social validation, mostly through success in battle which will earn them status, respect and public esteem. There is also a higher level of honor that heroes spend their lives aiming to achieve. This is an extraordinary reputation, which is the eternal imperishable remembrance or the famous deeds of men. In The Iliad almost all of the characters strive for the glory that will outlive them
- The warrior who is most obsessed with this idea is none else but Achilles. Initially he withdraws from the battle due to a hit on his pride by Agamemnon, but returns in order to win his eternal glory. Achilles is presented with a choice of two destinies; either live a long life but be forgotten when he dies or die young and achieve eternal recognition. The worth of life in comparison with glory is key throughout the poem not only being the ultimate cost of war but also in the terms of what Achilles is willing to sacrifice to be remembered as great.
- While previously being only concerned with his possessions Achilles learns to appreciate the true value of life and how absolute death is, “For nothing, as I now see it, equals the value of life” (9.401). However death is the only path to true remembrance in the warrior world and his final choice is to die young and nobly in order to accomplish eternal glory. This demonstrates just how highly the idea of remembrance was placed within a world of warriors.
- Achilles, however is not the only character who possesses this radical view of honor. In book 12 there is a conversation between Glaucus and Sarpedon which reveals a great deal about the heroic attitude to death and nobility. Sarpedon explains that in order to be heroes they must deserve the praise they receive from other men, they must be fearless in their pursuit of honor and have the courage to be ready to die (12.310-28).
-This can also be seen in the case of Hector, although he initially flees from the intimidating sight of Achilles, when he stops he is ready to die. He must meet the requirements that his heroic status demands by transforming his death into a path to eternal glory. “Let me at least sell my life dearly and not without glory, after some great deed for future generations to hear of” (22.305).
(Watch video between 0:50-2:04)
- The heroes of The Iliad live in a world influenced by shame culture; they are not driven to action by guilt or morals, but by the need for honor in the eyes of other men. The warriors strive for social validation, mostly through success in battle which will earn them status, respect and public esteem. There is also a higher level of honor that heroes spend their lives aiming to achieve. This is an extraordinary reputation, which is the eternal imperishable remembrance or the famous deeds of men. In The Iliad almost all of the characters strive for the glory that will outlive them
- The warrior who is most obsessed with this idea is none else but Achilles. Initially he withdraws from the battle due to a hit on his pride by Agamemnon, but returns in order to win his eternal glory. Achilles is presented with a choice of two destinies; either live a long life but be forgotten when he dies or die young and achieve eternal recognition. The worth of life in comparison with glory is key throughout the poem not only being the ultimate cost of war but also in the terms of what Achilles is willing to sacrifice to be remembered as great.
- While previously being only concerned with his possessions Achilles learns to appreciate the true value of life and how absolute death is, “For nothing, as I now see it, equals the value of life” (9.401). However death is the only path to true remembrance in the warrior world and his final choice is to die young and nobly in order to accomplish eternal glory. This demonstrates just how highly the idea of remembrance was placed within a world of warriors.
- Achilles, however is not the only character who possesses this radical view of honor. In book 12 there is a conversation between Glaucus and Sarpedon which reveals a great deal about the heroic attitude to death and nobility. Sarpedon explains that in order to be heroes they must deserve the praise they receive from other men, they must be fearless in their pursuit of honor and have the courage to be ready to die (12.310-28).
-This can also be seen in the case of Hector, although he initially flees from the intimidating sight of Achilles, when he stops he is ready to die. He must meet the requirements that his heroic status demands by transforming his death into a path to eternal glory. “Let me at least sell my life dearly and not without glory, after some great deed for future generations to hear of” (22.305).
(Watch video between 0:50-2:04)
