Athena is the goddess of just war. In other words, she believes in fighting a war if there is a purpose behind it. Ares, Zeus’ and Hera’s obnoxious son, believes in war because he is a warrior and loves conflict. Discuss these two approaches to the concept of war. How is this distinction delineated in the Iliad? How is it delineated in wars that are fought today? Is any war justified? In the Iliad, Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior, sulks the whole time because Agamemnon took his prize girl away. What do you think of this behavior? Is it ironic that such a strapping Greek man would give up his warrior status based on the principle that someone took his prize away? Achilles’ choice is pivotal in the Odyssey. He knows before he leaves the war that he can choose to live a short life and die a hero, or not go to war and live a long and prosperous life. Discuss Achilles’ choice. Do you think that his decision not to fight for so long was a part of his choice to live a long life? Why does he feel so passionate about giving up that choice to avenge his friend Patroclus’ death? What would you choose? A central theme in the dynastic dramas is fate. Because one member in a family angered the gods, the following generations had to suffer the consequences. Discuss the concept of fate. Do you believe in it? Could those characters have done anything proactive to change their fate?

Answer:

I don't believe in it and they probably could have done something proactive to change their fate.

Explanation:

Answer: The Ancient Greeks' two approaches to war of just fighting and of conflict for conflict sake are very over simplified. Wars always have a reason from at least one side. Ares’ concept of war simply for bloodshed's sake is more about conquest and ego, while Athena’s war based on wisdom is for defense and strategy. In the Iliad, Ares has no true alliance. He first sides with Greeks because they are fighting for revenge and to regain what was stolen. But, after being persuaded by Aphrodite he switches to fighting with the Trojans who are fighting for ego. Athen sides with the Greeks because they are thrust into conflict by the conquest of their queen.

In modern day wars are still fought for ego, conquest, and strategy. Wars for just conflict's sake are still fought by terrorists who are trying to provoke conflict and action for no real tangible reason. I feel some wars are justified, when fighting for one's freedom and life, but all wars are deplorable.

Achilles sulking because Agamemnon took his prize is not at all unusual for that time period. War was business to men like Achilles, and in business you must get paid. The girl was spoils of war and therefore he was entitled to that prize and it should not have been taken away. It can be compared to union workers going on strike for what is owed to them by the company that has hired them.

I believe that his choice to not fight was in part due to being able to live a long life. Even heroic warriors who long to die in battle still want to live. He gave up that choice for his friend because they had a strong bond. Brothers in arms today still have those kinds of close bonds and would lay their life down for one another. I feel I would choose to avenge my friend and brother in arms as well.

I believe that there is a small amount of fate that guides us but, in the end it is our freedom to choose how we live our lives. The characters in the Iliad perhaps the could have appealed to the gods, to help change their fate, but ultimately their actions would have created the same outcomes.

Explanation: