Proving Ones Honor in The Iliad by Homer

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The Iliad is a story about the war between the Trojans and the Greeks. They believe that if you fight in a war, this is how you prove ones honor and integrity, but to not fight would show cowardice or fear. During this time, the males were trained from a young age to assume a major role in the war efforts (Rosenberg, 1999, p. 119).
The most powerful warriors in this story were Hector and Achilles. Both men were given the title of heroes and displayed great power, skills and courage. But the values of Hector and Achilles were very different from one another and very different from the people of today’s society. Dignity, pride, honor, glory, fame, and revenge are very important to these people as it still is today, but it is achieved in a much different way.
Hector is the prince of Troy and a mighty warrior. He is the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. He is described as a devoted husband and father, who did not fight for his own glory, but for the honor of his men and those he loved. Achilles is considered the greatest Greek fighter and is the son of a military man Peleus and the sea goddess Thetis. Achilles was a proud headstrong commander who rarely acted with nobility or integrity. As a child, his mother Thetis knew that he would only live a short life because he was mortal and tried to burn away his immortality but when that didn’t work she held him by the heel and dipped him into the River Styx which protected him from injury on every part of his body except one heel (Rosenberg, 1999, p. 126).
During the war, Hector was faithful to the fight, but Achilles withdrew from the war due to an argument with Agamemnon. Agamemnon had angered one of Apollo's priests and in accordance with the wishes of his priest Apollo started reigni...

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...come of everything. They determine which warriors will succeed, and which will die and the fate of every single person. It is hugely important to praise and glorify the Gods, and if one does not do this or if one gives himself too much credit and glory, disaster will surely strike him. Achilles feels like his honor has been taken away from him, and wants the Greeks to learn their lesson and respect him. This war between the Trojans and the Greeks is not fought just over Paris taking Helen from her home but, the fact that the pride and honor that Menelaus feels has been taken away from him.
There is no good or evil side to this war. It is just two opposing forces, and whomever the Gods prefer shall succeed. The heroes fought for their own glory, they wanted to be the best and they wanted their side to win. In doing this they would have to obey and respect the Gods.

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