These two polis demonstrate the variation of power seen in ancient Greece. Sparta is well known for having had a military state with fierce warriors. While Athens is well known for having been the birthplace of democracy. The spartans had a scarcity of land and therefore set out to invade Laconia. In 730 B.C., Sparta invaded and took control of Messenia although they were a bigger and stronger city.
Hector and Achilles both strive for arete and honor, but they have very different intentions and motivations behind this. Hector fights for honor for all Trojans, and to protect his family from falling with Troy. He expresses his feelings of a need to fulfill his duties in Book 6 Extract J ADD QUOTE NEAR LINE 155 OF EXTRACT J. Achilles, on the other hand, fights more for personal honor and glory. He could not bare to think of his name being forgotten. This is what drove him to become courageous and fight in the war, abandoning his other potential fate, where he could have lived a long happy life.
Ancient Sparta has often been referred to as one of the most dominant military forces in history. During Sparta’s time of dominance, Spartan forces employed tactics of intimidation and sovereignty. Spartan soldiers dedicated their lives to training and preparing for battle, enabling them to create a fierce, dominant military. Sparta used their military for both protection and conquering, maintaining a stable economy and civilization. The Spartan military was able to dominate for so long because of superior military tactics, extensive training and discipline and advanced weaponry and armor, and intimidation and help from the gods.
Compare to Agamemnon in the Achaean side who takes any prize women he wants to and have the biggest amount of share prices, even though Hector also takes a lot of price as he is the best warrior in the city, he is a really good leader. Aside of this, though he is strong and his leadership is strong, he knows a day when Troy will be destroyed, but he keep fighting for his people: “Honour - for in my heart and soul I know/ a day will come when ancient Ilium will be perish.” (J, 161~162) The quote appears during the conversation between him and Andromache. Hector tells Andromache that he knows Troy will be burned to ground, but he still needs to fight to protect his family and his city and try to avoid the day when Achaean crushed Troy. His enduring heart keeps him going forward and being brave and finally calmly face his death in the end of the story. Everyone is not perfect and so as Hector: “Hector pulled at the corpse: now to behead it/ and give the trunk to Trojan dogs!” (N, 3~4) After Hector killed Patroclus, he doesn’t think of how to take care of the body, instead, he wants to cut Patroclus’ head off and give the body to the dogs.
Leonidas was informed that he must retreat or face annihilation. The Spartans did not retreat, however, and in the ensuing battle they managed to hold Xerxes’ enormous army at bay for some time until reinforcements arrived. It turns out their tribal dance was not a superstitious ritual but a form of calisthenics by which they were building awe-inspiring physical strength and endurance. (C) The Greeks took calisthenics seriously not only as a form of military discipline and strength, but also as an artistic expression of movement and an aesthetically ideal physique. Indeed, the term calisthenics itself is derived from the Greek words for beauty and strength.
Alexander did not focus only in the money he’s dad gave him but he was interested in all the teachings as he said “I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” Alexander was one of the greatest military leaders that existed. He inherited an army who fought with only one purpose as he said “remember upon the conductor each depends on the fate of all”. He was great discussing and convincing other people what he wanted them to know and to do. Alexander biggest wish was to become the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. He wanted to conquer all Greece and Persia who years back destroyed and burned Athens.
To eliminate someone else 's existence, knowing that has family and is loved and has wants and goals is horrible. Yet gladiators did not have any other choice as the value of their own life takes precedence over that of someone else 's. The mental drain of being a gladiator must have been immense and those who could not handle it would have been quickly killed, because those who hesitate about hurting someone on the battlefield would eventually meet someone who would not hesitate and take their life in an instant. This is a crude concept, that over time these men would become so used to bloodshed that they lose their appreciation for human life. Once someone loses that appreciation are they still human?
This smithing god was extremely significant because he reflected the war type culture of the Greeks, to which they devoted their praise to in order to bring them success in battles. In one example “Hephaestus was called upon by the mother of Achilles “Thetis” to craft another shield for Achilles due to the loss of his armor by Patroclus in battle.” This shield was crafted elegantly and expertly to defend Achilles in battle with multiple folds in it as a reflection of Greek culture. The first fold of the shield “herein he wrought the earth, therein the heavens therein the sea, and the unwearied sun, and the moon at the full, and therein all the constellations wherewith heaven is crowned” (Homer). This part of the shield reflected the power of the cosmos at the core of his shield. The next fold was “fashioned he also two cities of mortal men exceeding fair” (Homer).
Courage, bravery, leadership, and dedication are only a few of the great attributes shown by King Leonidas of Ancient Sparta. Leonidas was King of Sparta for only a short amount of time, but in that time ensured himself a legacy that will never be forgotten. In Leonidas’ life he did many things but, the most diligent and respected action was the stand he took at the Battle of Thermopylae along with 300 other warriors. Leonidas is one of the most widely known leaders of the ancient world and will never be forgotten for the bravery and discipline he demonstrated in his self sacrifice at the Battle of Thermopylae. Leonidas’ background is very interesting, considering what his name means and who is in his lineage.
Often in stories, heroes are expected to save a damsel in distress, and although this tale does have a lot of them, the plot didn 't revolve around a knight saving his princess to be, but rather it was about a great warrior saving an army from the mistakes of their irresponsible chief. Agamemnon, the head of the Akhaians, is one of the key characters of this book, he was the one who allowed the conflict to evolve to as big as it was, starting with him receiving a prize. As an award for his victory in conquering the lands of the Trojans, Agamemnon received Khryseis as his prize to her dismay. But like all girls, their first super hero would have to be their father, and Khryseis ' was no different. He came to the rescue and with him he brought bountiful gifts and ransoms for the release of his beloved daughter, but amidst all these presents and looming threat given by the desperate father, Agamemnon still refused