Iliad As A Dictate Of The Fath

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of Atreus provides enough information for the audience. Genealogy has the power to cease battle between enemies. Such is the case when Diomedes, challenged by Glaukos on the battlefield, questions him of his descent. After Glaukos has given the full story of his ancestry, Diomedes realizes that their grandfathers have been friends and proposes a truce.
"See now, you are my guest friend from far in the time of our fathers./ Brilliant Oineus once was host to Bellerophontes/ the blameless, in his halls, and twenty days he detained him,/ and these two gave to each other fine gifts in token of friendship. /…Therefore I am your friend and host in the heart of Argos;/ you are mine in Lykia, when I come to your country./ Let us avoid each other’s spears, even in the close fighting./ …But let us exchange our armour, so that these others may know/ how we claim to be guests and friends from the days of our fathers" (6, 215-231).
Glaukos and Diomedes must continue the ties of friendship ...

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as I am, pre-eminent among the Trojans,/ great in strength, as am I, and rule strongly over Ilion;/ and some day let them say of him: ‘He is better by far than his
father’,/ as he comes in from the fighting; and let him kill his enemy/ and bring home the bloodiest spoils, and delight the heart of his mother” (6, 476-481). This is strongly related to the heroic code in which a warrior must fight without fear of death. Fear of the agon cannot bring glory to any fighter, since he cannot win. Being faced with death but overcoming this fear and coming out as the victor of the battle brings honor to the father.
Being reminded of the paternal injunction and the greatness of their ...

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