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Excellence and Honor in The Iliad

This affects Achilles' honor as a warrior because he used his special excellence and strength to fight for her and he eventually developed love for Briseis that makes him eventually leave Agamemnon's' army and the war. .
             This also shows Agamemnon's arête as a leader and a warrior. Agamemnon questions Achilles' honor as a true warrior by implying that the only reason Achilles accomplishes anything is because he has help from the gods. When Agamemnon took away Briseis, which you could also call Achilles' honor because she was given to him for his duty, he gained honor in his own right because he took her away from the great honorable Achilles'. He only did this to take away Achilles' honor because after he was done using her for his own pleasure and needs; he gave her (Achilles honor) to his men which only angered Achilles even more. For example Agamemnon went on to say "But here is a threat: in the same way as Phoebus Apollo is robbing me of Chrysies, whom I propose to send off in my ship with my crew, I will come in person to your hut and take away fair-cheeked Briseis, your prize, Achilles, to let you know how far I am your superior and to teach others to shrink from claiming parity with me and playing the equal to my face." (Book 1 lines 183-189) This shows that Agamemnon is a warrior who only cares about his own honor and would turn against his best fighter just to show that he has strength and power and is the only who should gain honor from the spoils of war. .
             In today's definition of arête there are many similarities and differences to the meaning of the word as there was so many years ago. In the Iliad many warriors and Gods fought and battled for individual honor and prizes for themselves. In today's time period arête holds a different, but in some ways similar meaning. For example in today's sports you have a group of individuals all on one team competing together to win glory and prizes for a particular state or organization in order to win a championship.


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2. Greek Ideals: Excellence and Concern for Community

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