Monday, September 21, 2009
Pacts of Friendship
It is a theme throughout the Iliad that when two fighters are parting in friendship they exchange a gift with one another. An example of this can be found on page 224 of the Iliad, by Homer, "come, let us give each other gifts, unforgettable gifts, so any man may say, Trojan soldier or Argive, 'First they fought with heart-devouring hatred, then they parted, bound by pacts of friendship'" These gifts that they are exchanging are battle items: war belts, armor, swords. What do you believe is the significance of exchanging gifts on the battle field between two fighting armies?
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This instance is when Athena and Apollo decide to end the fighting for the day. Hector faces off against against an Argive champion. After much dueling, the fighting ends because neither soldier could out-maneuver the other. I believe the war gifts were exchanged to show the respect for each other's valor and skill.
ReplyDeleteThere is another instance of this in book VI beginning on page 199 line 137. The confrontation between Diomedes and Glaucus resulted in a trading of armor; the men realized that they were friends from their "fathers' days till now!" (page 203 line 277). This was more a trade based on friendship and an agreement not to fight each other however, rather than a recognition of each man's skill.
I think there are multiple reasons to exchange gifts, but I believe the most prominent one is to show respect.
It wasn't just during the battlefield that they would exchange gifts, it was all the time. Gift giving was a major part of Greek culture if you visited someone you brought them a gift and as a guest in their house they would give you a gift in return. I think it was about respect but also about goodwill too, that by giving gifts that you mean no harm and are just there for a good time or to relax. I think it was also about honor too, that's why it was such an outrage for the guest to act against the host family and for the host family to do something against the guest.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that the two fighting armies are not only able, but also willing to exchange gifts on the battlefield symbolizes a great deal about not only their personality, but it is also is an indirect representation of their purpose for fighting in the Trojan War. From this, I inferred that these warriors were solely fighting for their honor and glory. They were not fighting in this war because they had true hatred for the opposing side but rather because of obligatory purposes. Essentially, if they did not fight in the war to support their side, then they would be frowned upon and could not uphold their honor and glory, which was the utmost important thing in this civilization at that time. A good example which indirectly illustrates this is the encounter between the Trojan and Greek Warriors Glaucus and Diomedes. When the two warriors met, they found a common family history and were able to exchange pacts of friendship as well. I think this clearly shows how friendship and familial bonds were very important to the warriors and it was only the goal of honor and glory attainment which was the cause of the bloodshed.
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