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A 6 page essay that examines what Homer's Iliad tells the modern reader about ancient Greek culture. In many ways, ancient sagas are like windows on another time as they reflect the mores, customs, traditions, beliefs and lifestyles that were prevalent in societies that existed in past millennia. An examination of Homer's Iliad in this regard teaches the modern reader a great deal, not only about ancient Greek practices, but also about the way in which they viewed life, that is, the values that they considered paramount to a person of exemplary character. No additional sources cited.
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6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khhomgc.rtf
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existed in past millennia. An examination of Homers Iliad in this regard teaches the modern reader a great deal, not only about ancient Greek practices, but also about the way
in which they viewed life, that is, the values that they considered paramount to a person of exemplary character. However, as translator Robert Fagles points out in his introduction
to the Iliad, the modern reader also has to judge what Homers text says about Greek culture with an eye toward the fact that it is presented as a work
of art, rather than a work of history. For example, "The fighting Homer describes -- duels between chieftains who ride up to the battle line in chariots, dismount, and exchange
speeches, sometimes quite long ones, before engaging man-to-man with spear and shield -- is clearly a creation of the epic muse rather than a representation of actual battle conditions" (Fagles
25). Nevertheless, with this in mind, the Iliad offers a plethora of information about Greek culture and values. The epic poem begins roughly ten years into the Trojan War.
Fagles points out that it is erroneous to say that the poem is about the Trojan War, per se, but rather focuses on an argument between Achilles and Agamemnon, which
occurs near the end of the conflict. These two warriors fight over who has the greater claim to a captive woman who is also the daughter of a priest
of the god Apollo, Chryses, who begs Agamemnon for his daughters return and offers to pay an enormous ransom. In retaliation, Apollo sends a plague to punish the Achaean army.
Agamemnon is eventually forced to capitulate, but then demands that Achilles gives him his concubine, Briseis. Achilles eventually capitulates, but it furious -- "...blazing Achilles broke in quickly --/
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