Greek Values and Greek Values and HomerHomer

Homer provides us with a substantial Homer provides us with a substantial amount of information on what the amount of information on what the Greek values were during the Greek values were during the Mycenaean Age.Mycenaean Age.

The Importance of ‘Self’The Importance of ‘Self’

At all times the advancement of the At all times the advancement of the individual and his stature is to the individual and his stature is to the fore with the Homeric hero. The fore with the Homeric hero. The society is fiercely competitive.society is fiercely competitive.

ExamplesExamples

The quarrel between Agamemnon The quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles in Iliad 1, ostensibly over and Achilles in Iliad 1, ostensibly over a ‘mere girl’: each hero has several, a ‘mere girl’: each hero has several, perhaps dozens, of them, so why do perhaps dozens, of them, so why do they react the way they do?they react the way they do?

Achilles’ refusal to accept an Achilles’ refusal to accept an impressive offer of recompense in impressive offer of recompense in Iliad 9.114-161 including the Iliad 9.114-161 including the restoration of the original girl in an restoration of the original girl in an ‘untouched’ condition. Agamemnon ‘untouched’ condition. Agamemnon had not wanted her for his pleasure, had not wanted her for his pleasure, nor does Achilles want her back – the nor does Achilles want her back – the issue is of timissue is of timệ. (the honour or ệ. (the honour or renown that is due to an individual)renown that is due to an individual)

The funeral games in honour of The funeral games in honour of Patroklos in Iliad 23.539. These are Patroklos in Iliad 23.539. These are the most informative on this issue. the most informative on this issue. Note the significance of the games Note the significance of the games and the squabbling over prizes and and the squabbling over prizes and the alleged injustices, cheating etc.the alleged injustices, cheating etc.

The Importance of WealthThe Importance of Wealth

This is wealth of a tangible kind, such This is wealth of a tangible kind, such as treasure, cattle, flocks, crops, as treasure, cattle, flocks, crops, women slaves etc.women slaves etc.

The Importance of ProwessThe Importance of Prowess

Prowess brings glory, honour, renown Prowess brings glory, honour, renown to the hero, and the more successful to the hero, and the more successful he is in battle, the more tangible he is in battle, the more tangible wealth he acquires from plunder.wealth he acquires from plunder.

ExamplesExamples

Hector speaking to his wife says “The Hector speaking to his wife says “The only failing is failure itself”.only failing is failure itself”.

The yardstick by which heroes are The yardstick by which heroes are judged are: 1. Behaviour in battle – to judged are: 1. Behaviour in battle – to fight a worthy opponent is very fight a worthy opponent is very important for there is no glory in important for there is no glory in defeating a far lesser hero. The hero defeating a far lesser hero. The hero must win at any cost – no gentlemen’s must win at any cost – no gentlemen’s rules here. Boasting about a rules here. Boasting about a

Defeated opponent is a common feature Defeated opponent is a common feature (Hector over Patroclus Iliad 16, and (Hector over Patroclus Iliad 16, and Achilles over Hector Iliad 22). Achilles over Hector Iliad 22). 2, Behaviour in Council – to be able to 2, Behaviour in Council – to be able to persuade others in Council is a crucial persuade others in Council is a crucial element in the stature of a hero, and we element in the stature of a hero, and we learn in Iliad 9.430-495 through the learn in Iliad 9.430-495 through the words of Phoinix just how important an words of Phoinix just how important an element it was in the education of element it was in the education of Achilles.Achilles.

Tremendos emphasis was placed on Tremendos emphasis was placed on judgement, for so much hinged on the judgement, for so much hinged on the hero’s ability to discern the right course hero’s ability to discern the right course of action; in this context, renown came of action; in this context, renown came from his ability to persuade others – note from his ability to persuade others – note the role and stature of Nestor in this the role and stature of Nestor in this respect. Great weight, therefore, was respect. Great weight, therefore, was placed on judgement, shrewdness, placed on judgement, shrewdness, prowess and lust for renown through skill prowess and lust for renown through skill and courage.and courage.