The Downfall Of Greece And The Rise Of Rome - 1659 Words

The Downfall of Greece and the Rise of Rome: How Odysseus and Aeneas Reflect History More often than not, it is the direction of a great leader that is responsible for shaping the ideals of the culture which is being led. In ancient history, these admirable leaders rose to power through their success as war heroes. A war hero is many great things: courageous, selfless, and loyal. It is often a hero who is responsible for the fate of their country. Odysseus of The Odyssey by Homer and Aeneas of The Aeneid by Virgil are no different. They each epitomize the ideals of their individual cultures and serve as role models for future leaders. However, it can be only minor details that truly impact the end result for a country. A war hero tends to go one of two ways: They allow their pride to get the best of them, or they are so driven and focused that their small successes add up to the targeted big success. Although they each embody the heroic ideals of their respective cultures and are therefore representative of their cultures, Odysseus’ and Aeneas’ actions actually serve to reflect the opposite fates of ancient Greece and Rome. In Ancient Greece, being a hero meant abundant spoils, huge influence in the politics of the entire country, and eternal fame: Being recognized as a hero was as close as a mortal could get to being an everlasting god. To earn his title, Odysseus of The Odyssey by Homer had to meet specific guidelines. For example, he was required to be physicallyShow MoreRelatedHomosexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome Essay example1353 Words   |  6 PagesHomosexuality in ancient Greece and Rome Americans endlessly recycle the old conflicts: first we fought about slavery, then segregation, then gender, and now sexual orientation-(Anon). Homosexuality is an on-going conflict in America, as well as other countries. The history of homosexuality goes back to the ancient civilizations. As we have different ideas and ways of dealing with it, so did the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. Ancient Greece is considered as beingRead MoreJulius Caesar : A Great Leader1074 Words   |  5 PagesGaius Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar, hereinafter Julius Caesar or Caesar, lived from 100 BC to 44 BC in Ancient Rome. Julius Caesar was an accomplished military general and skilled politician, who is credited with ending the Roman Republic and ushering in the age of Roman emperors. Julius Caesar’s father’s side of the family was part of the original founders of Rome, so he had the birth pedigree, although he lacked personal wealth that was typical of many of the nobles. His mother’s family wasRead MoreThe Fall During The Dark Ages1667 Words   |  7 PagesMyceanean fall during the Dark Ages in 8th century B.C.E, Greece was looking for a change in structure for the sake of urbanization and organization. Whilst later in 509 B.C.E., Rome, armed with a purpose of progressing life for the Roman people, sought many of the same terms Greece placed in their renewed government. Plagued with mistreatment from the Etruscan Kings, a new wave of political rule embraces Rome. On the same token, 8th century Greece embraces a life away from the aristocratic rule and followedRead MoreRise and Fall of Athens and Ancient Rome Essay examples758 Words   |  4 PagesHistory has witnessed the rise and fall of many powerful cities, starting with Ur and Babylon and continuing into present day with cities such as New York City. Two of these cities, ancient Athens and ancient Rome, stand out from other cities of their time due to their culture, politics, and influence, both on the world around them and on future civilizations. These strengths qualify them as world cities, and despite their eventual losses of power, their legacies live on. 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But although this appeared to be a coup, in fact its success depended on support from Italys king, Victor Emmanuel III. In the event, Mussolini didnt march to Rome – he went to Rome by train and became prime minister by royal appointment. Mussolinis rule was brutally authoritarian: the parliament was packed withRead MoreHistorically Speaking, What are the Liberal Arts?1391 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the liberal arts? What, historically speaking, is the tradition of the liberal arts? The liberal arts tradition was born in the philosophy of ancient Greece. It originates in response to certain questions born from human nature, and queried by the unique philosophy born in Grecian culture: What is â€Å"being?† What is â€Å"wisdom?† What is â€Å"virtue?† What is â€Å"good?† This pioneering search for truth accessible to reason about the whole world led necessarily to the search for truth about the placeRead MoreAncient Greek History Essay example1388 Words   |  6 Pagesour humanity. The early history of Greece is not very detailed. Because of this it is often called the Dark Age of Ancient Greece. The first people to inhabit Greece built settlements along the shores of Greece. They relied on the Aegean Sea for trade and supplies. Travel by sea introduced the Greeks to other cultures, and they were exposed to western benefits of agriculture and various techniques of metalwork. Different communities began to develop in Greece: the Aegeans, Achaeans, the and Pelasgians