Values in Pindar

Values in Pindar

Pindar was composing his poetry at the start of the fifth century B.C.

at a similar time to Aeschylus, and as much as three centuries after

the completion of Homer's works. The values he displays, however, do

not seem to have developed since the time of Homer; Pindar's ethics

are those of a shame-culture, and in this way thoroughly Homeric. They

are aristocratic, favouring the strong, powerful ruler over the weak

and dominated. Wealth and prosperity are praised, not frowned upon.

Nietzsche approved of Pindar's praise of the strong, be they tyrants

or athletes (or indeed both), and conversely disapproved of the way

Socrates later denied the good to be had in strength and power. There

was no prize for second place; a man's victory was the result of his

own efforts and divine fortune - and if a man did not win, it was

because he was deficient in one of these things, and was not,

therefore, deserving of praise. Pindar was highly religious, however,

and was keenly aware of the gulf between man and god: although he was

happy to place the victor at the pinnacle of human achievement, this

is where the praise stops. Deification is not something encouraged by

Pindar.

Pindar's views on aristocracy can be seen clearly in his poems. Take

Olympian 1.113-4,

¤p' lloisi d' lloi meg‹loi. tò d' ¦sxaton

korufoètai basileèsi. mhk¡ti p‹ptaine pñrsion.[1]

Power and wealth are praiseworthy. Wealth for its own sake is not,

however. A rich man must use his wealth well in order to appear good.

In Pythian 1.90 Pindar advises those who wish to be thought of in good

repute to make full use of their wealth:

eà per ti...

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... flies beyond hope on the wings of his manliness, with ambitions that

are greater than wealth.

[5] If indeed the watchers of Olympus ever honoured a mortal man, that

man was Tantalus.

[6] C. M. Bowra, Pindar chp. IV.

[7] For in wrestling you follow in the footsteps of your mother's

brothers.

[8] P. 8. 73-5: For many suppose that he who has won good things with

no long stretch of toil is the wise man among fools and marshals his

life with plans of unerring judgement.

[9] And now four times you came down with bodies beneath you,

- You meant them harm -

To whom the Pythian feast has given

No glad home-coming like yours.

They, when they meet their mothers,

Have no sweet laughter around them, moving delight.

In back streets, out of their enemies' way,

They cower; for disaster has bitten them.