The Impact of Homer’s Epics on Modern Civilization

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Epics are typically read and discussed in modern society because the reader cannot relive the epics of the traditional community and recognize notable heroes from the past and history. Utilizing the numerous themes and writing styles linked with epics can assist in comprehending the significance of traditional battles and how different heroes were portrayed in those traditional battles. The recognition of community heroes signifies the expansion of numerous cultures and traditions. These are traditions handed down from generation to generation. It is crucial to keep in mind the relevance of discovering essential resources, such as mapping traditions, to celebrate outstanding modern practices. People living in our period can gain knowledge and insight into how they relate to the expectations and conventions of societies due to the breadth of topics covered in epics. There is no denying that Homer’s Epics ‘The Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey’ contributed to Western civilization’s development and continue to be relevant in the modern world.

The Odyssey by Homer is undeniably one of the most influential works in the evolution of Western culture, and it continues to hold significance in today’s world. In addition, the protagonist becomes famous due to the personal traits, such as fearlessness and tenacity, that he possesses as depicted in the phrase “There will be killing till the score is paid.” (Just Great DataBase par 13). These attributes reflect the ethos of the society that existed in Ancient Greece. These stories provide a wonderful picture of the social system in ancient Greece, which eventually served as the foundation for the formation of democracies and significantly impacted the evolution of contemporary societies worldwide.

Cultural and moral affiliation and traditional influences are being intensified due to the ongoing globalization process of society and the expansion of global integration. In addition, some authors do not discount the potential of a collision of societies but talk optimistically about a prosperous and peaceful future. On the other hand, the culture of the ancient Greeks has been passed down from one civilization to the next, both locally and globally. According to Heath, ancient Greek culture plays a vital role in the evolution of humankind as a regional civilization (114). This civilization was constrained by territorial limits, including conquered and colonized regions. On the other hand, Ancient Greece is considered the first global civilization because it was in this part of the world that the concept of worldview was first conceived.

‘The Iliad’ and the Odyssey discuss events that occurred during and after the conclusion of the Trojan War. The tales that are told in Gochberg’s books are reflective of the historical context and the conflict that occurred during the Trojan war between the Greeks and the Trojans (Haywood and Sweeney 11). Achilles and Odyssey, two of Homer’s most notable characters, are the focus of Homer’s epic poems ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘The Iliad,’ respectively, which describe their courageous deeds. How the main character interacts with destiny is reflected in Sophocles’ writing (Hatab 135). These tales shed light on several aspects of ancient Greek life, including cultural, theological, and material pursuits; hence, we can better understand Greek society.

In Homer’s epic poem “The Iliad,” the Trojan prince is depicted as stealing the king’s wife, resulting in a conflict between two kingdoms. Menelaus, king of Achaea, and Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, Menelaus’ brother, are instrumental in bringing the other Greek kings together and convincing them to take part in the operation over Troy. “Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country’s cause.” (Just Great DataBase par 18). This illustrates that Greeks have been at war with the Trojans for years, and the war was bearing no significance. They were unfazed by the fact that the gods were not on their side. Greeks and Trojans believe that victory is the only way to validate the power of a society and its military at the same time.

Homer accounts for the development of democracy in ancient Greece within his epics. In contrast to the monarchies of Byzantium and the United Kingdom, the power of kings was not unchecked. Homer portrays the monarchs in his stories as tribe elders who inherited authority and were subject to the exceptional attributes of their royal sons. Most of the king’s power is used in the war, even though it is criticized. In Homer’s epic poem ‘The Odyssey,’ Agamemnon holds the position of supreme commander of the Greek kings. On the other hand, Achilles is displeased with him due to his undesirable traits, which are only interested in making a profit from every transaction. A statement like this would be nearly impossible to make in a monarchy with absolute power and a rigidly structured hierarchy, which indicates evidence of the political nature of the interaction between the military wing and the people in Greek Culture.

Odysseus, who is the principal figure in the Odyssey, is the story’s hero. In Homer’s “The Odyssey,” Odysseus returns to Ithaca after defeating the Trojans. It occurs after the events of the story. Odysseus first tried to keep out of the brawl; however, after being detained, he banded together with his other traveling companions to restore order and return Elena to her husband. Odysseus, a brave and astute commander, overcomes all obstacles to secure victory for his men and then returns home to inform his people of the good news. Homer’s narrative of history gives light on how historical events continue to echo in the present day. In the twentieth century, the Greeks were the first to defeat communism and achieve independence. They eventually defeated the Italian army, and their victory significantly impacted the rest of World War II. The United States of America is yet another example of this phenomenon due to its engagement in many conflicts.

As a result, before the turn of the century, the United States Armed Forces were not directly involved in numerous wars raging in Afghanistan or elsewhere. Despite tremendous domestic and international opposition, the United States of America is attempting to establish hegemonic power over an increasing number of nations, following in the footsteps of ancient Greece. There are parallels between the perseverance of ancient Greek soldiers and the desire to make America great, pushing Americans to work hard in the face of adversity. Furthermore, Homer’s epics feature strong and autonomous female characters. Penelope, for example, resisted the suitors’ persuasion and concocted lies in the hope that her husband would return (Lesser 197). Pallas is another example of purposeful action since she uses her intelligence to free Ulysses by exchanging Hermes for her own liberty. Pallas sent Hermes away in exchange for Ulysses. Spouses were less likely to join the military and serve in combat conditions a century ago than they are now (Rasi 23). The women have to hold on to Penelope’s words of encouragement and the hope that their husbands will return home safely.

Plato’s dialogues echo the central issue of justice and bravery that Homer explores in his descriptions of his wants. Due to this, justice was one of the social norms that existed in Ancient Greece (Haarmann 171). If everyone deserves to be happy and treated fairly, how should society reform. Plato addresses the issue of an ideal system and the qualities that should characterize it in the dialogues that he writes. These qualities include wisdom, discernment, courage, and justice. These principles are mirrored in the organization of modern society, specifically, the aim to ensure that all community members are afforded equal rights and justice.

Plato’s school of thought attracted philosophers and thinkers worldwide due to its prominence in the worldwide community. These individuals all made significant contributions to the development of the Western world (Hamzani et al. 387). They explained why Greek culture had such a huge impact on the formation of Western civilization. Although many of these traits, including politics, democracy, and ethics, may be traced back to the early cultures of Asia and the Middle East, they were not fully developed until Ancient Greece.

Ancient Greece is undoubtedly the cradle of European civilization resulting from Hellenism which had the most significant impact on human evolution and profoundly affected cultures worldwide. Greece did not play a unique political role in the past, nor did it possess any natural characteristics that marked it apart from its neighbors. Similarly, Greece has no natural characteristics that distinguish it from its neighbors. Learning about ancient Greece requires possessing at least one of these items. On the other side, this is where cultural advances were so revolutionary that their impossibility was widely acknowledged for several years prior to their achievement.

The epics written by Homer are among the most remarkable pieces of literature that have ever been penned and have had a significant influence on the development of contemporary thought. Democracy in ancient Athens serves as a model for anybody concerned with the rights and liberties of citizens in the contemporary world regarding how Greek philosophers defined it and how it was established at the time (Rasi 24). In addition, no other form of government allows its people as much of a voice in administrating things as the democratic system.

In conclusion, Homer’s ‘The Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey’ offer readers a window into ancient Greece’s social, religious, and economic life. Ancient Greece is the earliest example of a fully global civilization. It is attributed to the country’s sophisticated view of the world. The epics written by Homer provide evidence of democracy in ancient Greece. Most of the time, the kings of Homer are revered elders of their tribes who were placed on the throne by their offspring. The cultural movement known as Hellenism, which originated in ancient Greece, had a significant impact on the history of numerous countries and regions across the globe. Learning how democracy was founded and developed in classical Athens by Greek thinkers will help people better grasp how to defend and expand the liberties enjoyed by present citizens.

Works Cited

Haarmann, H. “Is the Odyssey a Text Corpus of Pre-Greek Oral Literature? Searching for Themes of Early Maritime Narrative.” Zeitschrift Für Balkanologie, vol. 56, no. 2, 2020, pp. 167–184.

Hamzani, Dayang Nurhazieqa, et al. “A Historical Appraisal of Ethics and Civilization in Malaysia from Pre-Colonial to Post-Colonial Era.” International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 11, no. 12, 2021, pp. 382-391.

Hatab, Lawrence J. “Tragic Values in Homer and Sophocles.”Logoi and Muthoi: Further Essays in Greek Philosophy and Literature (2019): 135. Web.

Haywood, Jan, and Sweeney Mac Naoíse. Homer’s Iliad and the Trojan War: Dialogues on Tradition. Bloomsbury Academic, an Imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2018.

Heath, Malcolm. “Greek Literature.” Greece and Rome, vol. 66, no. 1, 2019, pp. 113–118.

Just Great DataBase. “The Iliad Quotes.”Just Great DataBase, Web.

Just Great DataBase. “The Odyssey Quotes.”Just Great DataBase, Web.

Lesser, Rachel H. “Female Ethics and Epic Rivalry: Helen in the Iliad and Penelope in the Odyssey.” American Journal of Philology, vol. 140, no. 2, 2019, pp. 189–226.

Rasi, Fathor. “The Modern World and the History: The Perspective of a Man.”Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi Dan Perubahan Sosial 6.1 (2019): 22-31. Web.

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The Impact of Homer’s Epics on Modern Civilization

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