Free Sample Essays > European History
Why are Ancient Greeks fighting
The “Why Are They Fighting?” picture is actually a picture painted on a large bowl with two handles, called a krater, which was used in a symposium to hold a mixture of wine and water. There were various types of these vases. Some common varieties are the bell-krater, which has horizontal handles and a bell shaped body; the columnar-krater, which has vertical, columnar handles that are set off by the neck of the vase; and the volute-krater, which has vertical handles, which terminate in spirals, also set off the neck. Most krateres were between 25-40 cm. in height. The symposium (from the Greek words for "with" and "drink") was an important social institution especially for upper-class Greek males. It was more or less a drinking party where men got together to reflect on their lives and socialize. Another part of the symposium was to see how much alcohol a man can handle and still be able to dance. In a highly competitive society such as this one, one could never make a fool of themselves. All of this was part of the male ethic. For example, the main character in the Homeric poems are aristocrats, who are expected to live up to a demanding code of values. The men are mostly warriors, much like Achilles of the Iliad. In fact, the “Why Are They Fighting” vase was influenced by the Iliad. The poem of the Iliad tells part of the famous story of the attack by a Greek army on the city of Troy. In the Iliad’s representation of the Trojan War, Achilles is “the best of the Greeks” because he is a “doer of deeds and a speaker of words” without any equals (Martin). Achilles primary concern in what he said and did is with the glory and recognition for all time that he can win with his excellence, or, “arête.” Like all aristocrats, Achilles feared the disgrace that he would feel before others if he failed to live up to the code of excellence. Under this aristocratic code, public shame was the consequence of failure and wrongdoing. To apply this to battle, men were raised this way (being subject to compete, even in battle). They were surrounded with messages that encouraged them to do so. War was part of everyday life. The primary motive to fight was honor. Much like the symposium, the goal was not to look bad in front of others; “kalos” is to look good in front of others. Men in Greek society were dependent on other people’s judgments. You are what you are, not what you own. Bravery and pride—what the Greeks called “hubris” is thinking that you are better than you actually are. The opposite of hubris is “sophrosune,” which is having your mind in a good place; knowing your proper place. Greek society was definitely a competitive society, which [next page]