Jenna Peon HUM 220 09/30/2012

War was an innate part of Greek culture and society in general in the ancient world, and Homer perfectly epitomizes this fact in his epic poems. This enigmatic poet wrote graphic descriptions of battlefield scenes to help the reader understand the brutal occurrences soldiers had to endure, but not necessarily to pass judgment on whether war was good or bad. He didnt aim to advocate or condemn war, but rather to objectively portray what it was really like. Homer uses vivid imagery and grisly descriptions to show readers both ends of the spectrum when it comes to warfare and the battlefield. He gives us gruesome portrayals of death and misery on the Greek and Trojan battle lines, but counters them with glorious moments of triumph. I think that Homer purposely tried to convey the duality of war; he wanted to show that war could bring both grief and fulfillment. In Book Five, we see some unusually graphic descriptions of dying soldiers and brutality on the frontlines. On page 85 Homer writes of the death of Pedaeus, Now Meges got close enough to him to send his spear through the tendon at the back of his neck and on into his mouth, cutting away the tongue at its root. He fell into the dust, his teeth clenched on cold bronze. This description is grueling to read, and its even harder to imagine being a Greek or Trojan witnessing these kinds of deaths every day. Again in Book 16 on page 315, Homer gives us this image of death in combat: Idomeneus plugged Erymas mouth with cruel bronze, the spear point passing beneath the brainpan, shattering all the bones. His teeth rattled out, his eyes filled with blood, and he spurted blood out through his nostrils and gaping mouth until deaths black nimbus enveloped him. These dark, detailed descriptions of Greek and Trojan loss are countered by portrayals of great feasts and wealth among the soldiers. In Book One the

Greeks are seen merrily feasting and drinking in honor of Zeus, as page 19 reads: And so all day long until the sun went down they feasted to their hearts content, Apollo playing beautiful melodies on the lyre, the Muses singing responsively in lovely voices. Homer shows the upside and the downside of the war; he gives us insight into how devastating it can be, but also reminds us that is part of the human condition and brought camaraderie to the ancient people. While I dont think Homer was trying to infuse his own opinion about war itself, he does seem to question the validity of the Greek quest for kleos, or glory. This sought-after complex could also mean immortality, namely through being remembered as a great soldier. In Book Nine Homer questions this Greek theme through the character Achilles. On page 169, the son of Thetis states, It doesnt matter if you stay in camp or fight- in the end, everybody comes out the same. Coward and hero get the same reward: You die whether you slack off or work. This is known as Achilles Dilemma: you can stay and fight the war and obtain undying glory, but lose your life- or you can return home to your family, all glory lost, to live a long life. The question that arises here is What will glory mean to you when you are dead? and I believe this is what Homer was trying to make apparent about the Greek ideal of immortality through death in battle. On page 171, Achilles again raises questions about whether or not dying in battle for the sake of kleos is really worthwhile. Homer speaks through Achilles stating, Nothing is worth my life, not all the riches Cattle and flocks are there for the taking; you can always get tripods and chestnut horses. But a mans life cannot be won back once his breath has passed beyond his clenched teeth. Achilles was the greatest Greek hero, yet here we see even the most regal

soldier questioning his duty and valuing earthly life more than immortality in glory. Though Greek society held the values of arte (excellence), aristeia(desire to be the best in battle), and kleos very close to them, in the Iliad we get to see the other side to this paradox. Not all Greek soldiers unquestioningly sought glory for glorys sake. However, it cannot be forgotten that all characters in the Iliad continue on this journey towards obtaining glory regardless of their solid belief in its value. Homer brings forth an objective description of the Greek and Trojan war as the basis of his poem, and continues with this impartial portrayal throughout, while managing to include and point out both sides to every story.