Iliad Reflection – Book One

Iliad Reflection – Book One
Question: If you were an ancient Greek, which of the following statements would you agree with A or B?
A) Achilles’ rage is justified and I support his decision not to fight, even if it means the Greeks might lose lots of men, or even the war itself.
B) Agamemnon is the commander, as such he is in the right, and I support his decision to ask for Achilles’ war prize Briseis – even if it means that Achilles will sit out the war.

If I was an ancient Greek I would agree with Achilles rage because he has what it takes to be a leader. Agamemnon is a coward because he sends people to take care of his own business. So he doesn’t have the whole package to be a leader. “Never once did you arm with the troops and go to battle or risk an ambush packed with Achaea’s picking men-you lack the courage, you can see death coming.” (pg.85) I would agree with him even if it meant that lots of Greeks would die. This is because then it would mean that Agamemnon’s soldiers weren’t trained good enough, and if they see there leader not doing anything then why would they.