The Iliad is essentially the epic of Achilles, the greatest of the Greek warriors and, at the same time, the most complex and unlikable of the many personalities of the Trojan War. Homer redefines the essence of heroism in delineating the character of Achilles, a demi-god that quarrels with his commander-in-chief over the division of spoils who sulks and pouts in his tent when he does not get his way. In the end, of course, Achilles triumphs over his arch-rival Hector and redeems the honor of the Achaians, but in this conclusion Hector emerges as the greatest tragic hero of the story, while Achilles remains a deeply flawed figure whose imperfections cannot be masked by his victory. In this essay, we will examine the Homeric conception of the epic hero, in order to show how Hector reaffirms to traditional model of the soldier-hero, while Achilles points the way toward a new, more complex model of the champion in battle.

             In the traditional model of Greek heroism, great prowess in battle is combined with arete, the almost mystical conception of honor which includes among its necessary qualities chivalry, inner strength, personal courage, and nobility of bearing and speech. this ancient model, strangely enough, developed partly out of the traditional rivalries of the Greek herdsmen, who gloried in raiding cattle from each other and who satisfied their honor by the exchange of tributes or the theft of prizes. Achilles, however, explains indignantly to Agamemnon that he will not exchange his girl for Chryseis, since he is not at Troy on a matter of honor:.

             I for my part did not come here for the sake of the Trojan Spearmen to fight against them, since to me they have done nothing. Never yet have they driven away my cattle or my horses. for your sake, o great shamelessness, we followed, to do you favour, you with the dog"s eyes, to win your honour and Monelaos" from the Trojans.