The Reflection of The Iliad

The Iliad is another name for the Ilion, a city located in Anatolia and Asia Minor. And, The Iliad, was written in ancient period by Homer is an epic that talks about Trojan War. What’s its relation to the Chinese History is that both of the people in this period worshiped gods very much.

So, that makes a connection with two histories. The ancient Greeks literatures were all talked about Myth, god’s story. So did Shang Dynasty, they worshiped the gods with piety.

The Iliad began with The Rage of Achilles and ended with Hector’s Funeral. After there had been nine years war, Cryses, a priest of Apollo came to ask Agamemnon to give his daughter back, Cryseis. But, Agamemnon refused his request; meanwhile, he threatened and dishonored him. Thus, Cryses prayed and cried to Apollo that hope the god can give him a hand. Then, Apollo gave a punishment to Greeks. All of the Greeks knew why the god is so angry, but no one dared to tell the truth. However, a prophet told the truth due to Achilles’ support. Agamemnon did give back the priest’s daughter, but he also took Achilles’ woman, Briese away, too. That made Achilles furious, so he decided not to join the war again. Achilles, the son of Thites, a nymph and Peleus, cried to his mother and complained about his unfair treatment. Thites heard that, and she took a revenge on Greeks. Because Achilles refused to participate in any battle, the Greek were defeated by Trojan warrior. Achilles’ best friend, Patroclus asked Achilles to give him Achilles armor that would encourage and inspire the Greek. However, Hector, a warrior and prince of Troy, and also a son of Priam, the king of Troy, killed Patroclus that made Achilles decided to come back and revenged on his friend. So, Achilles returned to the battle field again. He fought with Hector. Hector failed in the fighting and he was killed by Achilles. Achilles took his corpse, pierced the tendons above he heels and cinched them with leather thongs to his chariot, letting Hector’s head drag. And, he whipped his team to a willing gallop across the plain. Hector’s corpse was defiled by the dust. Achilles took it back to his tent. Priam groaned pitifully, making a desperate appeal that he went to Achilles’ tent and ransoming his son’s dead body. Achilles did give back Hector’s body after he ordered servant to wash the corpse. They agreed that stopped fighting a week before Hector’s Funeral over.

In the ancient period women seems in an inferior state. They had objectified. And, they were also viewed as war trophies that symbolized an honor. As Chinese culture, people put man in a superior class. Men can merry plenty of women; however, women can just marry a man. Enemy’s armor is one of the honor’s symbols. Hector took Patroclus’ armor, also Achilles’ armor, showed he took the honor of antagonist. But Chinese won’t take one’s armor to show their honor. They may take the weapons away because those weapons can be reused. This is a difference between ancient Greeks and Chinese. Ancient Greeks are convinced of Fate. They think gods are in charge of the fate of human. As Shang Dynasty’s people believed god and divination. No one can escape from the fate and gods’ hand.

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