The Roles of Religion and Ethics in Homer's The Illiad
Homer clearly and precisely depicts the religion and the ethics of the Achian and Trojan societies in The Iliad. During the time of the Trojan War, religion played an important role in the societies. Sacrifice, prayer, and rituals were all equally significant, and the superiority of the gods and the fates above humans were a standard of society. The gods were sacred deities to whom one had to bestow honor and respect. Within the society, honor, glory, and fame were desperately sought by warriors striving to achieve enduring notoriety. One's word represented a considerable commitment to be acted upon. Religion and ethics are prominently displayed in the characters throughout The Iliad due to their importance in Greek and Trojan society. The characters' religious dedication is evident through their sacrifice, prayer, and rituals: "King Agamemnon sacrificed…a fat bull of five years" and prayed to Zeus for success in battle against the Trojans. Meanwhile, the Achian soldiers "prayed to be spared from death in the maul of war." Later, when Patroclos, an Achian soldier, body is recovered, twelve noble sons of Troy are sacrificed in his funeral pyre. Sacrifices are performed to honor the gods or obtain their favor.
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 903
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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