Iliad Greek Values

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Homer is the author of many pieces of literature that are well known and well studied throughout the world. One of the most famous of these pieces is a Epic call The Iliad. In this poem you learn a lot about the culture and the religion of the Greeks and the perspective of the Trojans in the Trojan War. Before the poem even starts there is already a fight and arguments brewing when Greek goddess of discord, Eris, is not invited to a wedding and starts a fight between two other goddess’s. This little fight ends up creating a ten year war between the Trojans and the Greeks. In the continuation of this fight that is written down in the Iliad, the author highlights attributes and characteristics that the Greeks value including love, honor, and piety. …show more content…

This couple shows this love is book six when Andromache begs Hector to stay close to the city just so that he would not die and they could be together. When Hector comes back into the city, Andromache says to him, “When I lose you,Hector, There will be nothing left, no one to turn to, Only pain.” (Homer 433). The gods show that the approve of this trait because later in the story in book twenty-two after Achilles killed Hector, the gods still protected him and would not let Achilles destroy his body. The Greeks also showed a liking to people with honor. Priam is a character who shows great honor. Priam shows honor by going to Achilles, the man who killed his son, to get Hector back to mourn for him. This doesn't sound like an honorable act but it is honorable because he is bringing home his son who fought for him. Priam went into a very dangerous area to receive Hector and bring peace to his people. Priam also showed forgiveness towards Achilles, proving he is an honorable man. Priam was so honorable that even Homer, the author, refers to him as “the old man, godlike Priam” (Homer

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