Why is Heracles such a problematic character?
Why is Heracles such a problematic character? When we talk about something that is problematic, it is usually to do with time. Tales passed through time are often adapted for the societies to which they are being told. This could be in terms of added moral value or just generally adapted to suit the tastes of different cultures. Romans changed the name Heracles to 'Hercules' and altered some of his adventures, whereas in Greek the name 'Heracles' is often translated to mean 'glory of Hera'. This could be due to her attempts to destroy him backfiring on her and leading to his glorification by the ancient Greeks. Since the stories of Heracles were created thousands of years ago, languages have been changed and altered resulting in key words being incorrectly translated. This can lead people to misinterpret or badly translate the various stories featuring Heracles. These misinterpretations often cause problems for the future and for those who analyse ancient texts. Heracles, born to the king of Gods Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, possesses powers unknown to the majority of mankind. He has masses of courage, is incredibly strong and he uses his strength to succeed in life. It is through this strength (and the twelve labours that he is challenged to complete) that many of his problems arise, like the coinciding tales that exist about Heracles and the events that happen in his
Pick out two ways in which Plato's ideas might be described as totalitarian. Explain in which way they might be totalitarian. Do you think that they are in fact totalitarian? Argue for your view carefully with reference to both Crito and The Republic
Pick out two ways in which Plato's ideas might be described as totalitarian. Explain in which way they might be totalitarian. Do you think that they are in fact totalitarian? Argue for your view carefully with reference to both Crito and The Republic. Özkan Bugra TELEMEZ 20300347 PHIL241 Sec.09 Sandrine BERGES Telemez 1 Özkan Bugra TELEMEZ 20300347 IR PHIL241. SEC.09 ESSAY QUESTION: Pick out two ways in which Plato's ideas might be described as totalitarian. Explain in which way they might be totalitarian. Do you think that they are in fact totalitarian? Argue for your view carefully with reference to both Crito and The Republic. Plato's "Crito" describes Socrates, an Athenian philosopher who chooses to die for an ideal. In the text, Socrates is condemnded to death and sitting in jail. At this time, Crito, a friend of Socrates comes to rescue him. Socrates has many followers who hope he will agree to escape. When Crito comes to take on this position, Socrates refuses to his arguement and also the plan of escape. In "The Republic", Socrates, visiting Polemarchus' house, enters into a conversation on the nature of justice. Several various definitions are presented by the different guests. After finding each of these incapable, Socrates attempts to define justice himself. This requires that he first describe justice on the scale of the "ideal state". According to
The significance of women in the Imperial family
The significance of women in the Imperial family: By Kurt Attard During the time of the Roman Empire women were not allowed to play any part in the political life of the empire. However women were still able to influence powerful men and manipulate them to use there power for the wants of woman. The most powerful woman in the roman society was either the wife of a principate or the mother of one. Examples of influential woman in the imperial family include Livia Drusilla, Julia Agrippina and Octivia. The only woman that seemed to have a stable position with both power and security was the wife of the emperor. For example the Livia Drusilla (58 BC-29 AD), an influential consort of Augustus, who was depicted in imperial propaganda as the embodiment of womanliness and dedication, while her enemies believed her to be a ruthless seeker of power. Through the example of Livia it can be seen how influential a wife of a powerful man can be. Augustus married her when she was very young taking her away from her first husband Tiberius Nero. From then on, Augustus' affection was fixed on her. They stayed together till the end, despite certain insecurity from not giving Augustus an heir. Livia was the most powerful woman of her time and Augustus appeared to have taken most of her advice. She sometimes accompanied him from Rome and always served as a trusted confidante and advisor. When
"Hippolytus is an insufferable prig: Theseus an impetuous fool, but both are victims of the gods". To what extent do you agree with this statement?
"Hippolytus is an insufferable prig: Theseus an impetuous fool, but both are victims of the gods" To what extent do you agree with this statement. First the definition of insufferable, is extremely annoying, he would be annoying to the audience because his virginal behaviour would seem rather odd for a young man his age and the levels to which he takes it very extreme. He is very ignorant also, he maintain great amonts of praise towards Artemis, but doesn't do the same for Aphrodite, because he somehow feels his way, or her way of life is better, he doesn't have any real reason for following this and so he does appear self-righteous and ignorant. This is further emphasised by the fact that he doesn't even respect Aphrodite, and shuns her way of life. On the other hand I could take the line that he isn't annoying but rather loyal and determined to follow this way of life. He lives for himself and for no-one else, making him a free and independent spirit with a mind of his own. He doesn't hurt anyone in his puruits, he goes out hunting and, keeps himself busy, and so cant be accused of any evil or wrong doing, or even being idle. So this leaves me to think those who prefer Aphrodite would see him as the prig maybe, but those who prefer Artemis would see him otherwise, so looking at it balanced, on first impressions he just seems commited even if slightly innocent, but not
Assess the leadership qualities of Lysistrata in Aristophanes 'Lysistrata'
Assess the leadership qualities of Lysistrata in Aristophanes 'Lysistrata' 'Lysistrata' written in 411BC is the third and last of Aristophanes' 'peace plays' that we possess today. Unlike the other two, 'The Acharnians' and 'Peace', 'Lysistrata' is a dream about peace. The title character (or hero) of the play whose name means 'she who disbands armies'- Lysistrata presents her plan to end the war, her method is straightforward until there is peace there will be no more sex. The united women will dress in their most alluring clothes and yet refuse all amatory advances. Furthermore, the older women will seize the Acropolis and Athena's temple, which holds the funds for Athens war effort. However Lysistrata has to use all her cunning to get the women to agree to such a plan. Throughout the beginning of the play we see Lysistrata display many leader like qualities such as organisation, manipulation and persuasion, passion for her aims, boldness and an ability to incite passion in others. Firstly the play opens with an exchange between Lysistrata and Calonice. We learn from their exchange that Lysistrata has organised a meeting to discuss her plans for peace. Lysistrata here shows great leadership in the form of organisation and outward thinking. She has not only organised a meeting but shows outward thinking by inviting not just Athenian women to such a meeting but delegates of
How and why did Britannicus and Agrippina die?
Ryan Sanders How and why did Brittanicus and Agrippina die? Firstly I will discuss why Brittanicus died, according to the sources. According to Suetonius Nero 33; Nero became “Afraid that the common people might be less attached to Claudius’ adopted son than to his real one.” This made Nero afraid as if this happened then it is likely that the common people would most likely prefer Britannicus to become emperor and not Nero. Tacitus has a similar reason to Suetonius when discussing why Britannicus died. According to Tacitus “Britannicus’ behaviour gained him wide popularity.” This is similar to Suetonius as because of this it would be likely that Britannicus would be a much preferred emperor than Nero. This gives Nero a reason for wanting Britannicus dead as then therefore there would be no opposition. Now I will discuss how Brittanicus died according to the sources. According to Suetonius Nero 33; “He tried to poison Britannicus.” He did this by “At dinner had what remained poured into Britannicus’ cup. Britannicus dropped dead at the very first taste.” Tacitus is again very similar to Suetonius when writing about Britannicus as he too mentions poison “ordered poison to be prepared” and he also talks about the poison being added to Britannicus’ drink “cold water containing the poison was added, he instantly ceased to breathe.” They are both
Is Aeneas pious, and would the Romans of Augustan Rome have thought him to be pious?
Becky Lewis Is Aeneas pious, and would the Romans of Augustan Rome have though him to be pious? For many, Aeneas is the characterisation of piety: he honours his duty to the gods and his destiny, his duty to his family, to his people, community and to his fatherland and he adheres to stoic values. Arguably the most important aspect of piety is the adherence to his duty to the gods and his destiny, which I will discuss first. In book 1, Venus appears to her son, Aeneas in the guise of ‘a Spartan girl out hunting, wearing the dress of a Spartan girl and carrying her weapons’. Aeneas recognises that the girl is not a mortal, and asks ‘surely you must be a goddess? (…) Tell us and many a victim will fall by my right hand before your alters.’ This realisation demonstrates Aeneas’ obedience to the gods even when he was unsure of whether she was actually a goddess or not, but this showed his willingness to demonstrate reverence just in case she might be a goddess. However, his mother reveals her identity to him at the end of this passage, when she leaves and he notices how ‘her neck shone with a rosy light and her hair breathed the divine odour of ambrosia. (He saw how) her dress flowed free to her feet and as she walked he knew she was truly a goddess’. At this point, he is upset that he is never allowed ‘to speak to (her) as (she)
The participation of the Gods makes the Odyssey exciting. How far do you agree with this statement?
Olivia Clinton The participation of the Gods makes the Odyssey exciting. How far do you agree with this statement? In the Odyssey, Odysseus is helped by the gods, but also at times hindered by them in his journey home to Ithaca. Without the gods, the Odyssey would surely be a less exciting story to tell. The gods intervene a lot during Odysseus’ journey, almost securing his fate of troubles to prolong his return home. Poseidon won’t go against Zeus wish of Odysseus returning, but will “let him have a bellyful of trouble”. Without this participation of Poseidon, there would be no story to tell as Odysseus would have probably gotten home rather quickly without any ‘troubles’’. However, the gods also help the plot move along, taking Odysseus onto each next stage of his voyage, by saving him or helping him in some way, such as Ino giving him a veil to help him swim to safety after his raft was destroyed by Poseidon in a storm. This participation of the gods is very important and without it, the ‘odyssey’ would be less exciting. However, the gods being the main part of creating and moving the plot along means it is very predictable. We are told right at the very beginning of the odyssey of Odysseus’ fate that he will return home safety so we lose the sense of anticipation when Odysseus is in a life threatening situation because we know he will come out
Overview of Ancient Greece
Overview of Ancient Greece Athens, Sparta, Alexander, the Parthenon and other ancient ruins are vivid reminders of Greece’s almost hallowed past. Greece is a mountainous land surrounded by over 1000 islands and almost completely circled by the Mediterranean Sea. The first farmers settled there in around about 7000 BC due to the ideal weather of hot dry summers and rain only in winter and soon developed into small independent communities cut off from each other by the mountains and often competing for the best land, because the fertile soil was in short supply. These small communities later developed into the city-states and each had a strong individual identity, although very little is known about these early settlers. The Bronze Age is considered the first historical period, and it was within this period that the early writing systems were developed. During the Bronze Age there were two great civilisations- the Minoans and Mycenaeans. The Bronze Age witnessed major social, economic, and technological advances that made Greece the main centre of activity in the Mediterranean; it was characterized by its rapid growth of population and development of trade. It was in the Bronze Age that metals were first used. The Minoan civilization was the first great civilisation of the Aegean world; it emerged around 3200 BC on the island of Crete. The rich
Patroklos is not important to "The Iliad", do you agree?
“Patroklos is not very important to the Iliad”. How far do you agree with this opinion? Patroklos is introduced as the companion of Achilleus – the great warrior – which automatically makes him significant to the poem as a whole. His relationship with Achilleus is first shown in book 9 where Patroklos obeys everything Achilleus asks him to do and is names as ‘his companion Patroklos’. This shows they have a good relationship which is important as it shows the audience another side of Achilleus, one where he is loving and caring and human enough to crave the company of a close friend. However the menial tasks Patroklos is first asked to perform could have been undertaken by any common slave and therefore in this scene he does not come across as particularly important to the poem. This close relationship is emphasized a number of times throughout the poem, in particular when Achilleus ‘gave a silent signal to Patroklos with his eyebrows’ which would indicate that their relationship is such that Patroklos understands what Achilleus wants him to do through facial expression alone. Moreover, in book 11, Patroklos is referred to as the ‘pleasure of my heart’ by Achilleus, suggesting that their relationship is deeper than just friends. Patroklos’s role in Achilleus’s life is explained in part by Nestor who speaks of the advice given to Patroklos by his