Honor In The Iliad

The Iliad is presented and considered as one of the few poems in which we can learn about values and traditions through the eyes of the Greek Mycenaean society of the Middle Ages . The main figure of the Iliad is the Homeric hero, a man whose main goal is to achieve a state of “honor and glory". He possesses virtues such as magnificence and strength that make him equal to the gods and was often characterized by an unlimited courage that made men of those years worship them.

An important value for these heroes is the Timé or, honor. The Timé is achieved by the fighter on the battle field and it can be gained by coming out victorious from the battle or dying fighting with honor. At the end of the battles all the goods were distributed

The timé is what Achilles thinks about when he explains the reasons for which he is fighting Troy, “I or my part did not come here for the sake of the Trojan” (Homer 1,

152), “but when the time comes to distribute the booty yours is far the greater reward” (Homer 166

-167). Honor was achieved as a prize or a reward, the bigger the prize was the higher was the honor, evident from Thetis’ words when asking Zeus to help Achilles “So long put strength into the Trojans, until the Achaians give my son his rights, and his honor is increased among them” (Homer 1, 509-510). It is also considered a tribute and reflects the consideration others have of you, “ there are others with me who will do me honor” ( Agamennon, Homer, 1- 173-174).

The strength possessed by the Homeric hero is often described throughout the Iliad. These heroes were often represented as having an impressive figure and strength. In the Iliad, Ajax is the greatest and strongest hero after Achilles and he is often described as giving amazing demonstrations of

Achilles’ strength is often demonstrated as moved by the “rage” that characterizes this main character which is highlighted from the first lines of the poem, “the anger of Peleus’ son Achilles and it’s devastation” (Homer 1,1-2).

The Homeric heroes also personified “courage”, a virtue which all men of ancient Greece looked forward to. Even if not of amazing stature, they were always able to stand out among the others.

When Priam sees Achilles among the fighters he refers to him as a ram among the sheep, “still he ranges like some ram, through the marshaled ranks of the fighters. Truly to some deep-fleeced ram would I linken him who makes his way through the great mass of the shining sheep-flocks” (Homer 3, 195-198). In the Homeric poems bravery and courage are often associated to arête, or excellence of a kind and act of living up to one’s full potential. These heroes were capable of extraordinary actions, impossible for common men. They considered the battleground the place to show their courage and that they were not afraid of death. Trying to build honor there are many actions