”time”— heroic code of honor. Personal glory bravery and reputation in battle as the highest virtue.
Reading the Iliad and looking at the actions behaviors ethos of Achilles… they seem so much more honest, relatable and real —
Ancient Greeks glorified war? Display virtue, earn glory, secure your legacy. Not just accepted but celebrated.
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Achilles, the legendary Greek hero of Homer’s “Iliad,” represents a moral and ethical framework that is markedly different from modern perspectives. This divergence stems from the distinct cultural, societal, and philosophical contexts of ancient Greece compared to today’s world.
Ancient Greek Cultural Context
• Honor and Glory (Timē and Kleos): In Achilles’ time, personal honor and eternal glory were paramount. A warrior’s status was determined by their prowess in battle and the recognition they received from peers and poets alike.
• Heroic Code: Actions were guided by a code that emphasized bravery, loyalty to one’s comrades, and vengeance against enemies. Moral decisions were often based on personal reputation rather than universal ethical principles.
• Community vs. Individual: While the community was important, individual honor often took precedence. Heroes like Achilles were expected to act in ways that enhanced their personal legacy, even if it conflicted with collective interests.
Achilles’ Ethics and Actions
• Wrath and Pride: Achilles withdraws from battle when his honor is slighted by Agamemnon, leading to significant Greek losses. His pride dictates his actions, showcasing a personal code where honor outweighs duty.
• Revenge: Following the death of his close friend Patroclus, Achilles’ pursuit of Hector is driven by a desire for personal vengeance rather than justice as understood today.
• Treatment of Enemies: Achilles’ mistreatment of Hector’s body—dragging it around the walls of Troy—is seen as dishonorable now but was a profound statement of dominance in his time.
Differences from Modern Ethics and Morality
• Universal Human Rights: Modern ethics emphasize the inherent dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of status. Actions are often judged based on their impact on others and adherence to universal moral principles.
• Rule of Law: Contemporary societies rely on established laws and judicial systems to address grievances, contrasting with the personal vendettas seen in Achilles’ narrative.
• Empathy and Altruism: There is a greater focus on empathy, compassion, and the welfare of the community, which often supersedes personal honor or glory.
• Equality: Modern morality advocates for equality among individuals, opposing the hierarchical and status-driven ethics of ancient Greek heroes.
Reasons for the Differences
1. Historical Evolution of Moral Thought:
• Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle began shifting focus toward ethics based on reason, virtue, and the common good.
• The Enlightenment further promoted ideas of individual rights and universal morality.
2. Cultural and Social Developments:
• The rise of democratic ideals placed greater emphasis on the collective well-being.
• Increased interconnectedness among societies fostered broader perspectives on ethics.
3. Religious Influences:
• Religions such as Christianity introduced concepts of forgiveness, humility, and love for one’s enemies, contrasting with the honor-based retribution in Achilles’ time.
4. Legal and Institutional Frameworks:
• The establishment of international laws and human rights conventions formalized expectations for ethical behavior across cultures.
Conclusion
The ethics and morality of Achilles differ from modern times due to fundamental changes in cultural values, philosophical understandings, and societal structures. While Achilles’ actions were consistent with the heroic code of his era—prioritizing honor, glory, and personal reputation—modern morality tends to value empathy, equality, and universal ethical principles. Recognizing these differences allows for a deeper appreciation of ancient texts and the evolution of moral thought throughout human history.
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The ethics and morality of Achilles, as depicted in Homer’s “Iliad”, differ from modern times due to the cultural, philosophical, and societal contexts that shaped ancient Greek values compared to contemporary moral frameworks.
1. Heroic Honor vs. Modern Moral Norms
• Ancient Greek Honor Code: Achilles’ morality is governed by the heroic code of honor (or timē), where personal glory, bravery, and reputation in battle were the highest virtues. Achilles’ rage, for example, stems from the dishonor of having his war prize, Briseis, taken from him by Agamemnon. To Achilles, the primary moral obligation was to assert his honor and avoid shame at all costs, even if that meant acting violently or selfishly.
• Modern Ethics: Contemporary moral systems emphasize universal human rights, justice, empathy, and the value of life. Achilles’ vengeful rage, his willingness to let others die because he felt disrespected, and his brutal treatment of Hector’s corpse would be considered unethical today. Modern societies generally prioritize values like forgiveness, compromise, and the protection of all people regardless of personal slights.
2. Individualism vs. Community Responsibility
• Achilles’ Individualism: Achilles is an individualistic hero. His actions are often driven by personal pride and emotional intensity, with less regard for how his choices affect the broader community or collective well-being. His decision to withdraw from the battle is less about strategy and more about personal affront.
• Modern Communal Values: Many modern ethical systems, influenced by democratic values, religious teachings, and humanism, emphasize the importance of the community or collective good. Sacrificing personal gain for the greater good or following ethical codes based on societal well-being would often take precedence over personal revenge.
3. War and Violence
• Ancient Greek Glorification of War: In Achilles’ time, war and battle were seen as arenas to display virtue, earn glory, and secure one’s legacy. Violence was not only accepted but often celebrated if it contributed to the hero’s reputation.
• Modern Views on Violence: Today, most moral systems and international laws reject unnecessary violence, especially against non-combatants, and emphasize diplomacy, peaceful conflict resolution, and the protection of life. War is generally seen as a last resort, not a way to achieve personal glory.
4. Fatalism vs. Human Agency
• Achilles and Fate: Achilles operates under the belief in fate and the will of the gods. His moral choices are often framed by his understanding of destiny—knowing he is fated to die young, he embraces the path of glory and violence. There’s less emphasis on moral responsibility in the same way modern societies view individuals as having agency to make ethical choices based on reason and personal responsibility.
• Modern Ethical Agency: Contemporary ethics, particularly those influenced by philosophies like Kantian ethics or utilitarianism, place a greater emphasis on human agency—the ability to make free and responsible moral decisions independent of destiny or external forces.
5. The Role of Emotions in Ethics
• Achilles’ Emotional Code: Achilles’ morality is deeply tied to his emotions—especially his anger, grief, and pride. His sense of right and wrong is often governed by how intensely he feels, rather than by reason or ethical principles that transcend personal feeling.
• Modern Reason-Based Ethics: While emotions are recognized in modern ethics, many moral frameworks stress rationality, empathy, and principles like fairness or duty over purely emotional responses. Acting out of blind rage, as Achilles does, is generally seen as morally irresponsible today.
6. Divine Authority vs. Secular Ethics
• Divine Justice in Achilles’ World: The ancient Greeks believed in the active intervention of gods in human affairs. The gods had their own moral codes, which could seem arbitrary, and human behavior was often a response to divine whims.
• Secular Modern Ethics: Modern moral systems are largely secular, based on human rights, rationality, and universal principles, rather than divine edicts. Even within religious moral systems today, there is more emphasis on compassion and ethical behavior for all, rather than capricious divine favoritism.
In summary, the ethics of Achilles reflect the values of an ancient, warrior-based society where honor, glory, and personal emotion shaped morality. Modern ethics, influenced by democratic values, human rights, and a broader sense of justice, diverge sharply from these ancient codes. Today, Achilles’ actions, such as prioritizing personal vengeance and glory over the welfare of others, would be seen as morally questionable, while they were celebrated in his time as heroic.