Homer s Iliad And Thucydides s History Of The...

Homer’s Iliad and Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War ask if death and philotÄ“s can exist simultaneously. In the respective texts, that which Achilles and the Athenians encounter prove they will not exist in harmony for â€Å"human nature† is â€Å"incapable of controlling passion† and â€Å"the enemy of anything superior† (HPW 3.84). When Achilles does not receive his earned honor after battle and death’s toll from the war blurs the Athenians’ identity, their grief causes apathy. Achilles withdraws from his own people with a â€Å"rage, black and murderous† causing his own army to buckle which parallels the Athenians who at Pylos become â€Å"obsessed with the idea...to attack Spartans† (HPW 4.34). Before these cruel lapses in judgment, both desire†¦show more content†¦Ultimately, all Achilles has left is death, and all surrounding Athens is death. In death’s atrocity, Achilles and the Athenians turn towards their self-interests in hopes to regain control and dignity. Achilles withdraws from the army in hopes they will recognize his worth, thus restoring honor to him. The Greeks â€Å"were stricken with unendurable grief† yet his â€Å"proud spirit† kept him from letting go of his anger. (Il. 9.4, 259). His inability to understand his mortality and resulting lack of philotÄ“s â€Å"pitched countless souls of heroes into Hades’ dark† (Il. 1.3-4). Falling into fits of self-pity, Achilles is unable to recognize others’ sufferings, even of his own people. He complains to his mother that Agamemnon â€Å"has taken away [his] prize and dishonored† him and playing a lyre by the shore, away from the war displaying death’s reality (Il. 1.370). In his isolating mÄ“nis, Achilles hardens into an apathetic death-like figure. Similarly, the Athenians begin to lack pity as their cit y turned towards â€Å"unprecedented lawlessness,†¦ acts of self-indulgence,† and immorality during the plague (HPW 2.53). The Athenians even abandon their own people in fear of falling ill as well. Their civilization reveals it shallow-nature as they result to only considering present desires as honorable. In the faceShow MoreRelatedThe Historical Inquiry Of The Greek World1576 Words   |  7 Pages Herodotus and Thucydides had different views on war and their approach to the accounts of the wars. Both aimed to write historical accounts of the wars they wrote about. Herodotus ended his cultural history by celebrating his favorite city-state Athens along with other Greek city-states. In several ways, Herodotus differed from other historians and mythologist from precedent eras. He did not completely banish the supernatural from his Histories. His accounts of the Persian Wars he verbally expressedRead MoreAnalysis Of Machiavellis The Art Of War1759 Words   |  8 PagesAnother reason why I believe the Art of War is the most powerful is that Tzu uses intelligence to make clear focused decisions. One way Tzu uses intelligence is when it comes to knowing the enemy. In chapter four of The Art of War, Tzu uses this intelligence by saying not only does one have to know their enemy but they must know themselves (Tzu, p.84)1. Tzu uses the term invincible, in which to be invincible or uns toppable one must carefully consider every aspect. Tzu does not advise to make a quickRead MoreAncient Greek Culture2704 Words   |  11 Pagesdoes it set music apart, but it also tells an interesting tale with its art, literature, architecture, important people, and historical significance or relevance. Now you know that I am a girl who enjoys a great tune and also enjoys delving in the history and culture of many ancient cities. Now let’s get started. One thing that sets Ancient Greece apart from all the other ancient cities is its true reveal of music. Back in the day, they did not think of a song being like the current songs. â€Å"Music