Greece: HeroismIn ancient Greek times heroism was much different than it is now. Today, allyou have to do to become a hero most of the time is rich, after you do this themedia will take it from there. But in the time of the Trojans it took much more,thing’s that Achilles thankfully, was very good at or things he thought wasimportant. Achilles was not only a hero physically, but was more importantly, ahero for the Achian army’s morale, also his chivalric properties were importantwith his being a hero. Physically Achilles is superior to anyone that I have read of so far in theIliad, other than Zeus and a few other gods. Even the best of the Trojanwarriors and fighters cannot compare to Achilles’ fighting skill or his strength.
Morale is something that the Achians are truly suffering from in the end of booksix and into book nine. Something that the Achians need and Achilles provideswhen he is with the A. chians is a sort of a “father figure” if you would, afigure to look up to and to follow. Another way Achilles aggrandized theAchians morale was him just being on their side and not on the Trojan team. Chivalry was a trait that Achilles saw to be very important, to strive hard toperform well in. He showed a few instances were he could have conducted himselfdifferently but made a gallant decision.
This includes when Agamemnon took awayBriesies, Achilles’ war prize. Achilles could have become very angry and couldhave killed him very easily but he refrained, he spared the Achians leader andleft so no shame could soil his name. Compared to most hero’s in ancient Greece Achilles was a monster of a hero, forhe showed multiple ways a hero can be the best hero, he also showed exactly howgood a hero can be through his physical properties, his influence he had on theAchians army morale, and his desire to be the best warrior and hero he could bethrough his chivalrous acts. English
