Thoughts and life lessons from the Iliad —
First … think the protagonists. King Agamemnon and Achilles, Hector, King Priam.
Kings are boring.
The first thought —
In the story, nobody wants to be King Agamemnon *nor* King Priam.
They are old, worn and torn, no prowess in battle.
Achilles has a son?
Death of son of Hector
Euripides in tragedy “The Trojan Women”—
The specific event of Astyanax’s death is not detailed in Homer’s “Iliad,” as it focuses on the period of the Trojan War itself. The death of Astyanax is recounted in later works and post-Homeric traditions. Euripides, in his tragedy “The Trojan Women,” portrays this event, and it is also described in other ancient texts and mythological accounts.
In “The Trojan Women,” the following lines reflect the decision to kill Astyanax:
“Talthybius:
The council of the Greeks has just decreed
That thy child must die; he must be hurled from the battlements.”This quote is part of a dialogue in the play, where the Greek messenger Talthybius delivers the dreadful news to Hector’s wife, Andromache. The decision is presented as a cold and calculated measure by the Greeks to prevent any future threat from Hector’s lineage. The tragedy of the moment is heightened by the innocence of Astyanax and the grief of his mother, Andromache.
Astyanax, the son of Hector and Andromache in Greek mythology, met a tragic end following the fall of Troy. His death is a subject of ancient Greek literature and is most famously recounted in the works that follow the events of the Trojan War, rather than in Homer’s “Iliad” itself.
According to these stories, after the Greeks captured Troy, they decided that Astyanax posed a potential future threat. They feared that he might grow up to avenge his father, Hector, and the fallen city of Troy. To prevent this, the Greeks killed Astyanax. The manner of his death is particularly tragic and brutal: he was thrown from the walls of Troy, a deed often attributed to either Neoptolemus (the son of Achilles) or Odysseus.
This act is symbolic of the complete annihilation of Troy and its future. Astyanax, as a young, innocent child and the heir of Troy’s greatest hero, Hector, represented the hope of Troy’s resurgence. His death signifies not just the physical destruction of the city, but also the eradication of its lineage and future.
Why they have horse hair crest
The horse-hair crest on ancient Greek helmets, notably seen in depictions of warriors like Hector from Homer’s “Iliad,” served several practical and symbolic purposes:
- Intimidation and Visibility: The crest made a warrior appear taller and more imposing, which could be intimidating to enemies. It also made commanders and notable warriors more visible on the chaotic battlefield, helping soldiers to identify and rally around their leaders.
- Decoration and Status Symbol: The crest, often designed elaborately, was a symbol of status and valor. A high-quality, well-made crest indicated a warrior of high rank or great skill, as these were costly to produce.
- Cultural Significance: The use of horse hair might have had cultural significance, reflecting the importance of horses in Greek society. Horses were valuable and symbolized wealth, power, and nobility. Incorporating horse hair into a helmet could have been a way to display a connection to these esteemed animals.
- Helmet Design: Functionally, the crest could also have helped in deflecting blows to the head. Its positioning and the way it was attached could have provided a slight cushioning effect or caused weapons to slide off rather than striking directly.
In summary, the horse-hair crest was not just a decorative element but had practical uses in warfare, along with cultural and symbolic significance in ancient Greek society.
Quote of Hector son afraid of father
The quote you’re referring to is from Homer’s “Iliad,” in the scene where Hector tries to embrace his son, Astyanax, but the child is frightened by his father’s helmet and armor. Here’s a passage from this scene:
“He [Hector] spoke, and stretched his arms to his child. But the child shrank crying back to his fair-girdled nurse’s bosom, scared at his father’s aspect, and in dread of the bronze and horse-hair crest that he saw nodding terribly from the helmet’s top. His father and his honoured mother laughed aloud.”
This scene is a poignant moment in the “Iliad,” capturing the contrast between the duties of a warrior and the warmth of family life. It’s a powerful depiction of how the violence and terror of war can intrude on the innocence of childhood.
Hector and his son?
How Hector son described
Astyanax, the son of Hector and Andromache in Greek mythology, is often depicted as a young and innocent child, embodying the future and hope of Troy. In the Iliad and other classical texts, he is not described in great detail physically, but his role is significant in highlighting the human cost of the Trojan War.
The most poignant scene involving Astyanax is when Hector, before going to battle, tries to embrace his son. Astyanax, frightened by the sight of his father in armor, cries, which leads to a touching family moment as Hector removes his helmet and soothes his son. This scene poignantly contrasts the tenderness of familial love with the harsh realities of war.
Astyanax’s fate is a central element of his characterization. His death symbolizes the complete destruction of Troy and the end of Hector’s lineage, underscoring the tragedy and senselessness of war. As such, Astyanax is less characterized by individual traits and more by what he represents: the loss of future generations and the devastation of war on families and children.
Hector son
Hector, a prominent figure in Greek mythology, particularly in the story of the Trojan War as told in Homer’s “Iliad,” had a son named Astyanax. In the myth, Astyanax is a tragic figure. After the fall of Troy, there was a fear among the Greeks that he might grow up to avenge his father and his fallen city. As a result, he was thrown from the walls of Troy by either Odysseus or Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles. Astyanax’s story is a poignant symbol of the collateral damage of war, representing the loss of innocence and the future.
