FAMILY AND HONOUR IN ANCIENT GREECE
Where did the Greeks concepts of family and honour come from?
What purpose do I have in life?
Family
Family was very important to the Ancient Greeks. This was largely due to the influence of the godly family that their beliefs sprang from. It was believed by many that to go against your family was a sin frowned upon by the gods and that family members should be honoured and forgiven no matter what their crime.
This is displayed clearly in Ancient Greek literature, especially plays such as Medea. In this play Medea is charged with killing her children as well as a king and his daughter. However, she is protected by her relation to the titan Helios. Despite being charged with an abhorrent crime, Medea is protected because of her family status and the duty the gods have to protect their honourable families. Another belief was that any member of your family in trouble should not be ignored no matter the circumstances and that even though it may be dangerous to yourself you should try to protect them and honour them in life and death. It is important to note that if a family member was to disobey or go against the gods,these rules would not be obeyed as they would have been seen to have betrayed the family honour and would be assured of no protection. |
The godly family as role models
A significant reason for the importance of family and family honour in Ancient Greece is the fact that their gods were all said to be related to each other. It was seen that they should try and treat each other with respect. The Olympians gave to their own family but what example were they following?
The Godly family was far from perfect. The ‘father’ of the family, Zeus was known to have multiple affairs from his wife Hera, usually with human mistresses that he or Hera would often mysteriously 'remove' later. Hera herself, once gave birth to a child only to later throw it of Mount Olympus because it was too ugly. It seems the Olympian family was far from perfect!
Despite this the fact remains that the Greeks believed their gods to be a strong and united family and tried to follow their example.
The Godly family was far from perfect. The ‘father’ of the family, Zeus was known to have multiple affairs from his wife Hera, usually with human mistresses that he or Hera would often mysteriously 'remove' later. Hera herself, once gave birth to a child only to later throw it of Mount Olympus because it was too ugly. It seems the Olympian family was far from perfect!
Despite this the fact remains that the Greeks believed their gods to be a strong and united family and tried to follow their example.
Honour in ancient greece
To understand honour as it was in Ancient Greece one must look firstly to the myths and heroes they believed in. A hero such as Hercules or Odysseus would have embodied what the people believed to be the truest characteristics of glory and honour. They lived the life that the 'perfect' Greek would.
To be the 'perfect figure of honour 'and to achieve glory was a thought foremost in many Greeks minds. They lived there lives fighting to achieve it in life and death. The acts of their heroes represented to them the ways in which glory and honour must be won, through determination, military prowess and belief in the power of the gods. When you achieved honour you became more important in society and it was believed the gods supported you. Honour was tied in very closely to religion as honour came ultimately from approval from the gods. |