The Apology Of Plato s The Iliad - 1979 Words

â€Å"Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.† These famous words, spoken by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his first inaugural address, have famously resonated throughout history, and although they were said nearly 2000 years after the events of Plato’s The Apology, they perfectly correspond with what is perhaps the most noteworthy moment of the Plato’s text. The Apology is Plato’s recounting of Socrates’ trial, in which he faced charges of corrupting the youth, and believing in Gods different than the Gods of the state of Athens. In the trial, Socrates makes his argument as to why he should be found innocent of all the charges placed upon him. One of the most interesting arguments that Socrates makes in his defense is comparing himself to Achilles, the great Greek warrior from Homer’s The Iliad. He makes this comparison multiple times in his argument, and although it may seem like Socratic ir ony for the short, fat, philosopher to compare himself to a great Warrior, Socrates is completely serious in his comparison. He used a comparison between himself and Achilles as an analogy to represent his immense motivation to Philosophy. Achilles, living in an honor culture, was willing to die over what he believed was right, and Socrates was no different in that regard. After his service in war, Socrates dedicated his life to pursuing the many truths of the world. His reputation as a philosopher grew, and he soon discovered the Oracle ofShow MoreRelatedGreek Society vs. Socrates Essay897 Words   |  4 Pagesto the God(s). Also in Greek society, there was a man named Socrates who’s opinion differed with his culture’s thoughts, and he constructed his own thoughts and beliefs of what characteristics a virtuous man should hold. Not only did Greek society have thoughts of what their virtuous man should be; Roman society did as well. All cultures have a belief of what a virtuous human is and it is described in four ways: in the home, at war, political life, and one’s relationship to the God(s). FirstRead MoreThe Greek Mythology : A Normative Critique1754 Words   |  8 PagesHeracles and the Heracleidae Some scholars believe that behind Heracles complicated mythology there was probably a real man, perhaps a chieftain-vassal of the kingdom of Argos. Some scholars suggest the story of Heracles is an allegory for the sun s yearly passage through the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Others point to earlier myths from other cultures, showing the story of Heracles as a local adaptation of hero myths already well established. Traditionally, Heracles was the son of Zeus