Brasidas was a hugely influential and inspirational Spartan general renowned for his courage and efficiency. Fellow Spartans aspired to emulate his character, which was the source of much awe across all of Greece. In fact, it is actually Brasidas’s reputation outside of Sparta which warrants more significant study due to its significant effect on the Peloponnesian War. On the subject, Thucydides writes, “The present valor and conduct of Brasidas, which was known by experience to some, by hearsay to others, was what mainly created an esteem for the Spartans among the allies of Athens. He was the first who went out and showed himself so good a man at all points as to leave behind him the conviction that the rest were like him (4.81.2-3).”
Essentially, Brasidas’s reputed and proven courage became intertwined with the perception of Spartans as a whole. This subsequently inspired courage and confidence among Athenian allies who were considering switching their allegiances. Thucydides emphasis this, “The cities subject to the Athenians, hearing of the capture of Amphipolis and of the terms accorded to it, and of the gentleness of Brasidas, felt most strongly encouraged to change their condition and send secret messages to him, begging him to come to him; each wishing to be the first to revolt (4.108.3).” Remarkably, not only was his Brasidas’s campaign chipping away at the Athenian Empire, but his reputation alone was spurring rebellions; and where his reputation wasn’t enough, he proved to be a talented diplomat. “At the present moment his just and moderate conduct toward the cities generally succeeded in persuading many to revolt, beside the places which he managed to take by treachery” (4.81.2).”
In conclusion, Brasidas was widely...
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...asidas true motivations are left somewhat open to interpretation: perhaps he was driven by ego and/or personal glory, or maybe his allegations were true and Thucydides failed to relay Athenian hypocrisy. The latter is unlikely due to Thucydides’ expressed commitment to presenting an objective history, and so the most realistic explanation appears to be Brasidas’s was motivated by the pursuit of glory.
To add to this theory, Brasidas’s seemed to enjoy much praise, which was somewhat uncharacteristic for Spartan generals. When he sailed to Scione and commended their rebellion, they greeted him with “all possible honors, publically crowning him with a wreath of gold as the liberator of Hellas; private persons crowded around round him and decked him with garlands as though he had been an athlete (4.121.1).” It is entirely plausible that Brasidas succumbed to his ego.
The 300 Spartan Hoplites were the epitome of Spartan ethos, not only did they die bravely for their country, they also represent Spartan fear of dishonor. They were sent to die as sacrifices to preserve the view of courage and fearsome warriors and hide the caution and cowardice of Sparta. The Spartan educational system and laws resulting in some of the greatest warriors but their force is inhibited by the Spartan mindset, they are courageous in battle but fear dishonor.
An example of Spartan pride in the source would be when Leonidas ordered his allies to retire because he wished to secure the whole glory for the Spartans. “He therefore commanded them to retreat, but said that he himself could not draw back with honor; knowing that, if he stayed, glory awaited him, and that Sparta in that case would not lose her prosperity.” (Herodotus. The Histories). It’s said that Leonidas sent them away because he wanted the allies safe. Herodotus thinks that Leonidas gave the order because he thought them to be resistant to keep fighting. According to the primary source, Spartan culture seems primarily based on having an organized combative stability as well as having a strong military
Glory is a reward often granted to those who go bravely into the face of adversity. To be glorified is not something that should be vilified; however, the active pursuit of it is difficult to define as anything other than selfish and egotistical. When fleeing the cave of Polyphemus, Odysseus felt it necessary to taunt the monster whom he had so narrowly escaped: “Cyclops, if anyone, any mortal man, asks how you got your eye put out, tell him that Odysseus the marauder did it, son of Laertes, whose home is on Ithaca” (437). All that this earned Odysseus was a curse backed by the wrath of Poseidon and a boulder hurled his way. In this instance, Odysseus’ words could only serve himself. The only glory Odysseus could have attained was a figment of his own imagination. By praising himself, by wagging his self-proclaimed might in the face of his adversary, he had accomplished nothing other than endangering his crew and delaying their return to
The main summary of the book is “Plutarch's vivid and engaging portraits of the Spartans and their customs are a major source of our knowledge about the rise and fall of this remarkable Greek city-state between the sixth and third centuries BC.” “Through his Lives of Sparta's leaders and his recording of memorable Spartan Sayings he depicts a people who lived frugally and mastered their emotions in all aspects of life, who also disposed of unhealthy babies in a deep chasm, introduced a gruelling regime of military training for boys, and treated their serfs brutally. Rich in anecdote and detail, Plutarch's writing brings to life the personalities and achievements of Sparta with unparalleled flair and humanity.” This is only a small summary of
...roops to the rear to replenish Greece. Greeks had viewed Thermopylae as a critical moral and culture lesson to be learned. That free men fought willingly with pride and valor against those that were forced. Who do you think had more fear? Freedom won in the end. It was always the will to train and fight and develop proper skills that kept this Army on track. The Spartans had a great leader that boosted there pride and motivation throughout the conflict. Spartans knew how to be real men, fathers, husbands and warriors. They fought for their family, country and comrades in arms. Most importantly, they fought for what they believed in. No enemy has ever enslaved their children and raped their women and as long as brave men fight like on that ridgeline then freedom will always be alive.
Odysseus is known as a great war hero and leader who encounters and conquers unimaginable obstacles in his quest to return to Ithaca. This is understandable, given that Homer often uses Odysseus’ point of view in recounting his tortuous ten-year journey. However, beneath the surface is another perspective that is often overlooked, namely, that of Odysseus’ men who accompany him on this journey. Odysseus often glosses over his shortcomings as a leader and accentuates or even exaggerates his successes. If his men had been given more of a voice, it is likely that a different account of Odysseus’ leadership qualities would have been presented. For instance, Odysseus takes great pains to portray himself as an innocent victim and Homer’s readers generally accept this perspective. Odysseus’ hubris makes him careless when it comes to the safety of his men and therefore, an unreliable leader. Careful analysis of the scenes featuring Cicones, Aeolus and the Winds, and Scylla and Charybdis reveals that Odysseus often fails to transcend his own self-interest and ultimately he is the one responsible for the deaths of his men.
As shown, Odysseus struggles with some of his faults, including pride. However, Homer wrote him to be a dynamic character, and towards the latter end of the book, this fact becomes apparent. When Odysseus lives among the suitors disguised as a beggar, he forces himself to constrain his rage towards them. He checks himself saying, “‘Bear up old heart! You’ve born worse, far worse’…so he forced his spirit back into submission, the rage in his breast reigned back–unswerving, all endurance” (Homer, pg. 411). In this instance, he lets his pride dissolve for a time to provide for the better. In addition, Odysseus subtlety warns one of the better suitors, Amphinomus, to escape while he can acknowledging, “Of all that breathes and crawls across the Earth, our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man” (Homer, Pg. 380). This advice to Amphinomus suggests that Odysseus has been internalizing the idea himself, and correcting some of his prideful tendencies.
Brutus was not a very good military leader. His action when his army first arrived in
In the years following the Persian Wars in 479 B.C., Athens had come out on top being the most dominantly powerful of any Greek city with a navy that had superior strength that increased day by day. The Athenians “ruled with heavy-handed, even brutal force as well as with reason” (Kagan 2). This was due largely to the fact that Athens had a stable and effective government, which only increased their advantage in proving themselv...
The strength of the Roman military was the string that held the Roman Empire together for as long as it lasted. The military was made up of strictly disciplined men whom were ready and willing to serve their emperor.
Odysseus and I share pride in a numerous amount of ways. Odysseus constantly thought about his pride, like in this example as he and his men sailed toward the six eyed monster known as Scylla, “But as I sent them toward Scylla, I told them nothing” (936). Telling them nothing shows arrogance. It says that he doesn’t care enough about his men to even listen to what Circe had to say. Circe told Odysseus to row quickly past Scylla in order to lose the least amount of men, but his ego got in the way of that. Additionally, Odysseus didn’t have just one instance of showing egotism and neither did I. He became one of Penelope's suitors, “I did not miss, neither did I take all day stringing my bow” (954). He was trying to win his lady back by shooting
"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you" was stated by C. S. Lewis. Hubris, an over abundance of self confidence, is a common problem in Greek myths. It usually stems from characters not acknowledging those who are superior to them, usually the gods and goddesses. This is what happens in the stories Daedalus and Icarus, Phaethon, and Arachne. The characters let their pride prevent themselves from making the right choices. An excessive amount of pride from the characters in Daedalus and Icarus, Phaethon, and Arachne negatively impacts their choices.
In the following essay, I choose to argue through different situations and passages that the underlying theme behind the character Odysseus revolves around his wits, intelligence, and intellect. I wish to argue that he should be a character that should be remembered more for his smarts rather than being a strong warrior because in many stories the leading warrior is remembered more for his battle efforts and blood shed compared to his aptitude. Specifically, I want to focus on one main passage from the novel that I feel accurately depicts Odysseus as a character that uses his brainpower to a higher extent over his actual strength. The passage states: “They sang these words most musically, and as I longed to hear them further I made by frowning to my men that they should set me free; but they quickened their stroke and Eurylochus and Perimedes bound me with still stronger bonds till we had got out of hearing of the Sirens’ voices.” The scene involves a situation in Book XII when Odysseus and his crew are forced to pass through an island on their way back to
When discussing the Spartan economy it is essential that the structure of Spartan society is explained. This structure directly effects Spartan economic production and its primary agrarian focus. The social structure of ancient Sparta was made up of three classes of individuals, the Spartiates, the Perioikoi, and the Helots. The Spartiates were native Spartans, those who had ancestry back to the first inhabitants of the settlement. The Homoioi—peers and equals—were at the top of the social pyramid, they were citizens with full rights, Spartiates. It was strictly forbidden for the Spartiates to engage in any economic activity at any time, rather they were devoted to military service and training. Family life for a Spartiate was limited, a
Brutus’ willingness to put himself over the welfare of a nation showcases his principled and righteous personality. But Brutus’ determination to be viewed as a man of honor and good intentions is what in turn gives him the motivation to act in such a way that allow him to be viewed as such. Brutus is portrayal as a man of good intentions gives the audience symphony for him and allows for the reader to justify Brutus’ actions of murdering his close friend Julius