Song Of Ilium By Homer

Ilium is the ancient Greek name of the kingdom, we call Troy. Troy was located on the northwest coast of modern Turkey. The Iliad, which means “Song of Ilium” an ancient Greek epic poem written by, Homer. Homer was a blind Greek poet, who also wrote “The Odyssey”. Both poems were very important in Greek culture. They were sources of historical knowledge, in addition, the Greek Code of ethics, the foundation of Greek education. In the Greek world, human beings are responsible for their own actions and their own destiny. The Greeks believed that the goal in life is to live with Areté, which means “virtue” or “reaching one’s highest potential”.
In the poem Iliad, Homer writes about the Greek legend the Trojan War, one of the most important events in Greek mythology. The poem is not just about the Trojan War, but how the hero Achilles rose above his anger. The Trojan War, the ten year siege between the city of Troy (Ilium) and the Greek states, it tells of the events and battles during that time. The Greek warrior, Achilles is the son of Peleus a mortal man and Thetis a Greek goddess of the sea.
Out of frustration, Zeus states the human suffering is the result of human behavior, even though people often blame the gods.
If people would take responsibility for their actions and exercise generosity and wisdom instead of greed and foolishness, humans could cut their suffering in half.
In the Greek culture it is very important for self-control, balance, moderation and prudence, in which the Greeks called sophrosyne. Achilles is the greatest Greek warrior, but it’s his anger and lack of self-control that drives him to the point of inflicting injury towards others. When Achilles’ best friend, Patroklos was killed by Hector, son of Priam the king of Troy, is when Achilles wrathful personality took the turn for the worst. In return, Achilles kills Hector in an attempt for glory and honor for his friend
Patroklos.
In Greece, it was important for a warrior to be prepared and burned with honor. It was thought to affect how one entered into the afterlife. After Achilles killed Hector, he gave him no such honor instead dragged him behind his chariot to dishonor him. He also refused to give Priam his dead son’s body back. Priam pleads for his son’s body, so he may have a proper burial for the afterlife. Priam pleas to Achilles as a begging, reminding Achilles of the feelings that he has for his own dead father. Achilles is so moved by these stirred up memories of his father that he agrees to accept Priam's offer of Hector's body. Achilles comforts Priam, by telling him to not to mourn for to long for that wouldn’t bring hector back. He also made sure that hectors body was washed and anointed before giving it back to Priam. Achilles didn’t want to upset Priam more then he already was.
Zeus expressed his frustration about human suffering is the result of human behavior, because Achilles was half human/god, he wanted Achilles to learn compassion, nobility and honor. It’s in the human nature to be compassionate and cruel. Achilles has reached his highest potential to live in Areté. It is in our human nature to behave irrationally, it’s the way or how which defines us differently. I don’t know if I’ve reached my highest potential yet, I have a hard time finding compassion when it comes to my father, I still hold lots of anger. However, I won’t stop trying.