Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Power and Civilization
From what I've read of Greek stories, the Odyssey and a bit of the Peloponnesian War, it is clear that violence and physical strength determine an individual's power and status. The same is true for civilizations. Their power, influence, and ability to last were dependent on its peoples' successes and failures in battle. The first book of the Peloponnesian War provides an overview of the many civilizations rises and falls. Hellenes is most closely accounted for. While I did get a bit lost in the information, I gleaned that war and violence were central to Greek culture and the means for survival. Over and over, peoples conquered other peoples giving way to stronger, more long lasting civilizations. This value system provides some contrast from that described in the Hebrew Bible. The Jews are pictured as victim and mostly peaceful followers to God while the Greek peoples/tribes are more warlike and dynamic - there groups and ideas are changing. The two texts are similar in that the people have the ultimate goal of reproducing and flourishing, just as God said, "be fruitful and multiply." This seems to be a common theme throughout ancient texts as there is power in numbers and growing population.
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I found the arguments made in Book One by the Corinthians to be extremely cunning in the way that they appealed to the war-like nature of the audience. The speech, recorded by Thucydides, highlights the need for war in a tone that suggests a defense of civil rights as well as a cause for liberation. It was interesting to me that the proposal of war was almost sugarcoated by the need for peace. The audience is urged to "vote for war, not with fear of the immediate danger but with longing for the lasting peace that will come of it; for after war, peace is more strongly confirmed" (1.124). The Lacedaemonians and their allies clearly want war, but it seems to me that they want it more for reprimanding the Athenians rather than the pretense of peace.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aaron, in that the ancient civilizations viewed war not so much for the violence itself, but as a means of protecting themselves and what they had. If we think of it that way, then the idea that courage/bravery as one of the Greeks' most valued virtues, and going into war as an important experience for men makes sense. As for the Jews being more peaceful, I somehow think that it has to do with their god as well. I get the sense that the Hebrew god doesn't "support" violence (i.e. one of the 10 commandments was ordering the people not to kill/murder), and rather prefers to commit the "violent" acts himself (i.e. destruction of Sodom). Whereas the Greek gods are much more human-like, and are constantly at disagreement with one another. And since they view humans as pawns, they may have enticed certain groups against each other, resulting in violence and wars.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Yuan in that bravery and honor were very important Greek virtues. In order to live after death, one should have an honorable death, such as from fighting in war. This life after death can make one immortal because his story is constantly being passed on, which is a form of survival even after defeat. This survival can ultimately be another way to determine one's power and status.
ReplyDeleteAmy Shih