Greek culture has a unique perception of values, human nature, and war, and modern humanity may explore it from Homer and Orations perpetuated in ancient literature. Indeed, such works as Iliad and Pericles’ Funeral Oration demonstrated that the willingness to fight was a significant mission for men (Homer). This paper aims to compare and contrast Hector’s farewell to Andromache and Pericles’ Funeral Oration for the Athenian dead in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta to discuss the Greek view of human nature and war.
In Iliad, human nature revealed through the Andromache’s begging her husband to leave the battlefield because a woman perceived the war as loss and suffering. However, Hector had to complete the military mission and described his decisions as a moral obligation (Homer). Similarly, Pericles’ Funeral Oration persuades the citizens by addressing their responsibilities as ones who must protect their rights (Thucydides). Ancient leaders valued the sacrifice of soldiers, addressed human nature to be proud of their sons and husbands, and the governmental structure Athens managed to build.
The Peloponnesian War occurred later than the events of the Iliad, and the selected literary works reveal that the protection of lands remained vital; however, the persuasion approaches changed. In Hector’s farewell to Andromache, the character recalls the higher values of being a warrior and argues that it is morally correct to prioritize military service over the family (Homer). In contrast, Pericles’ Oration reminds Athens citizens about the constitution, the need to fight for their rights, and the legal obligation of men to serve (Thucydides). The difference in argumentation was a result of the humanitarian and social development Greeks experienced, making citizenship one of the core values of their time.
Both Homer and Pericles described war and service as the crucial duties of ancient men and revealed that citizens were persuaded by addressing their responsibilities and reminding them of their rights’ value. Iliade demonstrated the importance of war by portraying Hector leaving the family to return to the battlefield, and Funeral Oration praised the sacrifice of the dead soldiers who protected Athens as their citizen obligation.
Works Cited
Homer. The Iliad. 800 B.C.E. The Internet Classics Archive, Web.
Thucydides. Pericles’ Funeral Oration from The Peloponnesian War. 399 BCE. Fordham University, Web.