The Peloponnesian War
(editing)
Thucydides%E2%80%99s depiction of the %E2%80%9Cimbecility of ancient times%E2%80%9D shows the evolution of individualism in society from a symbol of divinity embodied in a local ruler%2C as described by Hesiod in his Works and Days%2C to a society built on the collective power of individuals%2C epitomized in the Athenian democracy. Thucydides%E2%80%99s view of ancient Greece is one of disorder and no union among the Greek people as a whole. The islands of Greece act as independent states%2C with the identity of these islands created by the inhabitants themselves. Moreover%2C not until the Trojan War did the Greeks %E2%80%9Center into any action with their forces joined%E2%80%9D. Hesiod describes the same society around the time of the Trojan War in his %E2%80%9CAge of Heroes%E2%80%9D. He describes the land being filled with %E2%80%9Cheroic men%E2%80%9D and ending in %E2%80%9Ccarefree hearts%E2%80%A6and honey-sweet fruit%E2%80%9D. To Hesiod%2C the period of the Trojan War is one of strong individuals and demigods%2C fighting each other and ending with eternal honor and happiness. Hesiod%E2%80%99s positive view of early Greek society as a land of demigods is in sharp contrast to Thucydides%E2%80%99s view of a disorganized society that is an example of early %E2%80%9Cimbecility%E2%80%9D. While Thucydides is writing a historical account of Greek history from later 5th century Athens%2C Hesiod%E2%80%99s description of the period is written around the 8th century in the context of the %E2%80%9Cages of man%E2%80%9D. To Hesiod%2C the forces of nature are tamed and civilization is cultivated by the powers of a great individual%2C Zeus. In Hesiod%E2%80%99s story%2C great individual power is something of the divine%2C epitomized in Zeus%2C and a period of great independence amongst the Greek states is naturally connected with the divine through demigods. Hesiod%2C who lives in a Greek society ruled by local rulers%2C would have viewed his own society as one that evolves from an age of powerful individual demigods and independent states as seen in the previous %E2%80%9CAge of Heroes%E2%80%9D. Hesiod explicitly says this when he describes his own age as an %E2%80%9CAge of Iron%E2%80%9D%2C one still made by %E2%80%9CFar-seeing Zeus%E2%80%9D but ultimately with %E2%80%9Cno defense against evil%E2%80%9D. Thucydides however%2C writes after a time of great unification amongst the Greek people in which they fought off the Persian Empire and from an Athenian democracy. To Thucydides%2C Homer%E2%80%99s tale of strong individuals seems not to be a golden time of the divine but a time of disorganized chaos in which achievements and progress are inhibited by the lack of coordination across Greek society. While Hesiod sees the past independence of states and individuals as a better time and more closely related to the divine than his own time%2C Thucydides sees the past in contrast with his own democratic society and views the uncoordinated independence as a sign of inferiority. The shifting view of individualism and independence from a symbol of divinity to one that is epitomized in a democracy not only shows the evolution of Greek society and identity but ultimately the interpretation of Greek mythology itself across Greek history. %0D%0AMackenzie Johnston%0D%0A
October 06, 2013 18:48
Myth Commentaries/2013106/3
(committed)
Sorry for the improper submission method before. Hopefully this is done correctly this time. Thank you
October 07, 2013 00:01
Myth Commentaries/2013106/3
(committed)
I changed the argument to focus more on how Thucydides%27s Pan Hellenic view of the Trojan War differs from that of Hesiod%27s instead of arguing about divinity. Please let me know other ways in which it can be improved. Thank you
October 24, 2013 19:09
Myth Commentaries/2013106/3
(committed)
Hey guys%2C%0D%0A I%27m not sure if my latest edits ever updated. I thought I had submitted a newer version around 10%2F31 but never heard if it was rejected or accepted so I wanted to resubmit. %0D%0AThank you%2C%0D%0AMack
November 22, 2013 17:49
Myth Commentaries/2013122/7
(committed)
By Mack Johnston
December 02, 2013 16:12
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