Value Of Personal Honor In The Iliad

Some of the most important components of ancient Greek life and literature are the cultural values and beliefs that were both cherished in 8th century BCE and admired by many people today. The Iliad has greatly impacted this transmission of ancient cultural ideals, helping shape our understanding of our ancient ancestors. The Iliad is an intriguing and thought-provoking story that captivates the reader and teaches morals of ancient Greek culture through an adventure tale of the Trojan War. The values of personal honor, respect for the gods and restoration of balance, important to Greeks living in 8th century BCE are demonstrated in the Iliad through what the characters say, do and the events of the plot.

The value of personal honor, a
This value is portrayed through the conflict of Agamemnon and Chryses, a priest of Apollo. When Chryses offers Agamemnon gifts beyond count and asked for his daughter back in exchange, Agamemnon rudely refuses and tells the priest, “sooner will old age come upon her in my own house, in Argos far from her own land, going up and down by the loom and being in my bed as my companion.” (1.29-31) Apollo, enraged at this act, sends down fiery arrows of pestilence for nine days that engulfs the whole kingdom and that only stops after Agamemnon gives up Chryseis, restoring the balance. Another occasion in which this value is portrayed is in the conversation between Achilles and Priam, father of Hektor. After the death of Hektor, Achilles drags around the body of Hektor in the dirt every morning. Unable to bear the pitiful sight of his son anymore, Priam comes to Achilles to ask for his son’s body back in exchange for a large ransom. He kisses both palms of Achilles and tells him to look at the situation from a father’s perspective. He persuades Achilles to sympathize with him and in the end, Achilles gives back the body of Hektor when he is reminded of his own father. Achilles makes sure that the body is properly cleaned and oiled, gives the body to Priam and then apologizes to the dead Patroklos for his actions, promising him a share of the ransom. Achilles restores the balance and peace is