My Account of the Republic

  Plato gives a very detailed dialogue in the Republic about what is justice and why it is a better choice than injustice. In order to better understand the text, I would like to summarize it from my on account and give my analysis on it in different sections. 

  Socrates refutes three main arguments about justice from Caphalus, Polemarchus, and Thraymachus. In order to discover what true justice is, Socrates engages in some interesting dialect. Firstly, Socrates wants to define the ideal city and what parts and people are integral to it. The purpose is to try to understand justice on a larger scale so that we can clearly define the proponents of it that will easily translate to a smaller scale like the human soul. He compares it to when a person checks his eye sight by reading off the largest letters then gradually reading increasingly smaller letters. In biology we used to compare the dynamics of a city to the anatomy of the human body. The supermarkets and restaurants are like the stomach, the streets and transportation resemble the veins and arteries and the government building is like the brain. 

  If we can understand how justice works within the city, then we can apply it to the human soul and how it functions. Socrates explains that the city should consist of three different classes; the producers (farmers and craftsman), the auxiliaries (warriors), and the guardians (rulers). In order for justice to prevail, all three of these classes must do their own part in society; "Every other citizen, too, must be assigned to what naturally suits him, with one person assigned to one job so that practicing his own pursuit, each of them will become not many but one, and the entire city thereby naturally grow to be one, not many." Justice is a form of order and harmony. Therefore having one united group with all individuals doing their own work for the happiness of all is just. 

  The three different classes producers, auxiliary, and guardians parallel to the three parts of the soul respectively; appetitive, spirited, and rational. The appetitive element feels passion, hunger, and thirst stirred by other appetites like money especially. The spirited part desires honor and is responsible for our feelings of anger. The rational section seeks truth and controls the other elements. Just as the guardians rule, the warriors support the rulers, and the producers obey them, the rational, spirited, and appetitive elements follow suit. When all three of these elements are fulfilling their purpose and working in harmony, then the city and the soul have achieved justice. 

  Plato emphasizes that only education can allow people and cities to achieve justice. That is because by understanding the elements and how they function is the only way to know how to control them. A very loose analogy would be like when I am in the weight room and the coaches explain to me exactly what this exercise is doing, what muscles it is engaging, and how it will enhance my strength which allows me to better execute the exercise overall. My comprehension of how the body works, how it gets stronger, and what foods to fuel it help me become a better athlete. I am able to control my body through knowledge of it. Plato would explain that the same knowledge about the soul better enhances its own performance and your authority over it. By education, moderate men will discover order for themselves, produce good natures, and be better than the previous generation.  

  An extensive system of the type of education children should receive is drawn out by Plato, but he clearly states that the aim of education is not to put knowledge into the soul, but to put the right desires into it. He paints a picture of the journey to true intellect using three different analogies. The first is of the sun and how it gives light to things and makes things visible to the eye. The soul can be thought of the same way. When it focuses on something that is illuminated by the truth and is revealed to be what it really is then the soul is able to understand it. However, when the soul looks at something dim and obscure, it changes its beliefs and is lost of understanding. Socrates explains, "What gives truth to the things known and the power to the knower is the form of the good. And as the cause of knowledge and truth, you must think of it as an object of knowledge…Light and sight are right thought to be sun-like, but wrongly thought it be sun. So, here it is right to think of knowledge and truth as goodlike, but wrong to think that either of them is the good-for the status of the good is yet more honorable." Also, the sun not only gives us power to see but nourishment like "objects of knowledge owe their being known to the good, but their existence and being are also do to it; although the good is not being, but something yet beyond being, superior to it in rank and power." 

  This can be contrasted to Plato's other visual aid of the division of the line. The world is divided into two realms, the visible, which we grasp with our senses, and the intelligible, which we grasp with our mind. WIthin these two sections there are two subsections. The visible consists of one part shadows and reflections (illusion) and the other real objects we see (beliefs). The intelligible subsections are much more complex and easier to explain in mathematical terms. In geometry when are doing a proof to a theorem, there are certain facts that are undisputed like three sides to a triangle. Those claims can be put under mathematical reasoning. The higher level subsection is called philosophical reasoning because you not only use the evidence found in the mathematical reasoning to conclude things, but actually understand the conclusion, the bigger picture, or the forms. Understanding justice and the examples of it is different than grasping the source of justice, which is the good. 

  Plato also explains his famous allegory of the cave in the Republic. He describes a group of people be chained and facing a blank wall. Shadows move across the wall and the prisoners take that as reality. Then when the prisoner is able to break away from their enslavement, they see the shadows being created by figures in front of a fire. At first they are blinded by the brightness of the fire and retreat their eyes to the shadows of the wall. The prisoner will not want to enter the sunlight above the cave because he is afraid of its pain. When he is dragged up to the top, his eyes burn from the light. When they slowly acclimatize, he can only see the shadows of the objects above at first. Then he is finally able to look up at the object and later the sun itself. He realizes that the sun is the source of everything; the seasons, years, and sight. 

   These analogies explain the painstaking task of discovering true intellect and understanding the form of the good. Without this knowledge, justice will never be achieved. Plato understood that this was not achievable by all people. That is why it is important for the rulers to be philosophers that seek wisdom and know truth. The warriors and producers will do their parts in society because they have laws to reinforce their education that allows them to find truth for themselves to the best they can. The city as a whole will function properly with all parts aligned, while each individual soul is at peace.

Pella

          Although I was disappointed that the archaeological site of Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, was closed the museum was fascinating and gave me many insights into the transition of different lifestyles and perceptions throughout history.

           King Aracelaus founded Pella and later King Phillip II and Alexander the Great ruled from this great city. It attracted many Greek artists such as Zeuxis and Euripedes. We actually got to view the mosaics that Zeuxis created in the luxurious homes of Dionysus and Helen. 

           We notice the transition from the modest city homes in Athens to the more luxurious houses in Pella. In earlier times, it was dishonorable to not participate in the city state whether it is voting or being on the jury. In Pella, we see people wanting to move away from the political life and retreat to extravagantly decorated homes. It was actually looked down upon to have these larger houses because one should be dedicated their time, money, and effort into the state and not themselves. One was considered useless and an "idiot" if they didn't fulfill their political duties. 

           In addition, discussion and fellowship moved from the public agoras to the private symposiums or drinking parties. A person's house was the new forum for debate and fellowship. Whereas there used to be a separation of public and private, agora and house, it is now merging into one. This also brought women closer to the action. Although, they technically were not allowed to listen to the conversations and participant in the symposium, it was still brought into their arena- the home. Actually, women in Sparta exercised much more freedom than other Greek women. Most Greek women remained in the house and that is why in paintings their skin is very pale. Spartan women were allowed to go out in public and interact with men and women around town. 

           Another transition I discovered was found within the coins. Coins used to feature the patron god or goddess and their tradition symbol. For example, in Athens, Athena was featured with an owl or olive branch. However, coins soon gave tribute to the emperors instead. This also parallels with the temples we have seen in Pergamon; the shift from Olympic gods to emperor worship. The temple dedicated to the emperor Trajan that sits above the temples for both Zeus and Athena is an example of the progression of devotion. 

Greek Orthodox (Monasteries, St. Paul's Alter, and Basilicas)

          Large metropolitan cities, amazing beaches, and remote mountain villages are mostly our destinations, but Meteora had it's own beauty and mystique. The Greek word literally means "suspended rock," which is an accurate portrayal of the landscape with it's rocks extended towards the sky. The monasteries are built on top of these large pinnacles and monks would use a pulley system with nets to hoist themselves up. However now there are long winding staircases. 

           The first monastery we visited was named after the ascetic monk named Barlaam who climbed the rock and built three churches in dedication to the Three Hierarchs; Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. No one followed him up there, so after his death the site was abandoned and fell into ruin until Theophanes and Nektarios Asparades found it again. They erected the ruins and dedicated the monastery to All Saints. 

           The inside of the monastery was covered in bright, colorful frescoes that literally left no space unpainted and depicted scenes of redemption and martyrdom from the new testament. Many ancient worshippers could not read the bible so these murals would serve as testimonies of perseverance, visual representation of faith, and aids to reflection. By viewing the Saints and their sacrifices, a person is able to draw inspiration and encouragement. Our tour guide explained that the Greek Orthodox pray to the Saints, not as gods but as a median to God. The Saints bring them closer to the divine as sort of messengers and role models. 

           Icons, artistic depictions of Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Saints, covered the walls inside both the monasteries and the basilica. I noticed a woman in the basilica kissing each of the icons reverently. She was not worshipping idols, but becoming one with the figure in the icon. That is why they are always flat and two-dimensional because when you look at them or kiss them, you become the third dimension. Some believe that the icons are flat because humans do not understand the world of the divine spirits and cannot comprehend it using our five senses. This is very different from the Roman Catholics style of worship where they employ statues that are life-like and three dimensional. However, they still are not worshipped but used as visual aids and decorations. 

           Symbolism in the art and the depiction of the Saints was very evident in the frescoes, mosaics, and other icons. A recurring theme was the color symbolism; gold represents the kingdom of God, blue is the human life, and red is the divine life. Jesus is always painted wearing a red undergarment and a blue outer garment which conveys his descent from the divine into mortal form. The Virgin Mary has the opposite set of garments and illustrates her birth into mortality and her descent to divinity. I found this motif in all three sites we saw; the Meteora Monasteries, St. Paul's alter, and St. Demetrius basilica. 

           The Saints were also depicted in an idealized way with their ears and eyes big showing their reception of Christ's words and their beauty masked because their souls were far surpassing physical attraction. The saints were always painted on the lower parts of the walls, which connect more with the humans worshipping. It demonstrates that they are the link between this world and the divine. The face of Jesus Christ is always on the top part of the dome, which is a visual representation of Him in heaven. The basilica had an interesting representation of the angels almost lifting up the dome of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. 

           The basilica of St. Demetrius was built on the site of his martyrdom where he was speared to death. The Virgin Mary is depicted with the baby Jesus in her arms in the pews with glowing amber windows that gave the whole building a sacred glow. In the Orthodox Church, Mary is always shown higher than the Saints because although she was also human she was blessed and sacrificed her body to bring Jesus Christ into our world. She is a physical manifestation of the divine and mortal world connecting. The basilica interestingly was also the site of some Roman Baths that we got to explore. 

           I also noticed a fountain that looked similar to the ablutions we saw in Turkey. The idea of cleansing and purification seem to be prevalent in all religions. In Islamic faith one must take off their shoes and cleanse their hands, feet, and face before entering the mosque. Christians believe in baptism as a liberation from sin that separates us from God or a declaration of a person's belief and faith in Christ. Jews do a ritual washing which include washing the hands, feet or even total immersion intended to restore or maintain a state of ritual purity. The ancient greeks that worshipped the Olympic gods were also insistent on being cleansed. In Oresteia, for example, Apollo cleanses Orestes of his mother's blood he shed. Many could not enter sanctuaries of the gods if they were not cleansed. That is why criminals and such were not allowed to enter. Also, pregnant women (because if they had a miscarriage) and those who were approaching death could not walk the sacred path of Apollo's sanctuary because they would dishonor the sacred area with death. 

           Although I noticed a lot of similarities between all the religions and especially between the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholicism. I couldn't help but contrast it with the style of worship I'm used too. I'm not an avid church attendee but I do like to accompany my brother to his non-denominational church in Austin. It's much more relaxed than traditional churches where people from nice dresses to jeans and sandals show up and have fellowship with one another. It's an amazing time for reflection and celebration about our relationship with Jesus Christ. This seems to be very different from the reverent style of worship found in the Catholic or Orthodox Church. My perception is that some focus on the original sin and the need for repentance. Whereas most of the Christian worship I have experienced is more uplifting and praises humans as God's children and made in his image. Also, protestants seem to engage in more musical worship which is not seen in orthodoxy. Regardless, both styles of worship glorify God either in beautiful artistic paintings, frescoes, or music. 

Delphi

          Delphi Museum was so interesting because I was able to make some interesting connections and insights about Greek culture throughout history. 

           It was fascinating to see the parallel between the different movements throughout the century. We noticed the transition in art in the sculptures from more idealistic and smiling faces to realistic and unemotional faces. This mirrors the philosophical movement that Dr. Shultz mentioned that taught temperance and control. In Plato's Republic, we have discussed the virtues; wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. The emphasis of controlled emotion within the sculptures shows the Greek ideal of mastery of certain sorts of pleasures and appetites. 

           An additional parallel that the tour guide pointed out was between the theatre and politics. Play writers were able to express their creativity through dramatic comedies and tragedies. Sometimes they conveyed important themes like justice in Aeschylus' Oresteia. New plays were showcased in the theatre of Dionysus and competed for top prizes. The protagonist of each performance reflected the freedom of a democratic voter during this time. He is allowed to make choices, but has to deal with his decisions and the gods help guide him throughout the process. Voters, like the main character, especially in Athens, exercise a lot of freedom in the political system. 

           Another interesting motif I discovered was the universal depiction of snakes being evil and harmful. Apollo had to kill the Phython that protected the center of the earth in Delphi so that he could build his sanctuary there. This is also symbolic of the new worship of the Olympian gods over the old deities such as mother earth. At this sanctuary, the archaeologists included artifacts from the byzantine era that showed a cross triumphantly on top of a snake. In the bible, the snake is depicted as a deceptive creature that tricks Adam and Eve into eating from the Tree of Knowledge. 

           About the site itself, I found the discovery of the toxic gases that rose from the ground underneath the temple itself making the priestesses high riveting . Even the water that they drank was contaminated with poison! They would fast for days before they entered the temple for long hours in order to prepare themselves, but you would think that would give them a hunch that something weird was going on within the temple. Our tour guide said that one time a man forced one of the woman to go in and tell him his prophecy but she had not yet fasted so she passed away. Greek worship was really intense and their beliefs were so strong that they would sacrifice their own children (Agamemnon sacrificing Iphegenia). So maybe it isn't so crazy that they would really think the the god of prophesy, Apollo, was really speaking through them. 

           The amount of influence that these women had over the city was also quite amazing. Usually women maintained the house and raised the children. There place was in the home and away from public affairs and decisions. However, the priestesses of Apollo could control the choices the men made by their prophesies. It reminds me of the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," when the mother explains that a man is the head and the women is the neck that can turn the head any way she wants.

           The sanctuary of Apollo was an interesting panhellenic site where Greek city states would demonstrate their wealth and influence. Athens, for example, had an elaborate treasury house that depicted their prestige and honor. After any astounding victory they would make sacrifices to the gods and bring trophies to showcase in their treasury. It's like the Baylor Panhellenic building at Baylor where every sorority has their own room that is decorated in beautiful pictures of past classes, achievement plaques, and important artifacts. 

           Another way the Greeks showed off their superiority over another was in the Pythian Games. The Olympic Games are held in such high regard that we sometimes forget about the many other athletic events that occurred. In modern day, no one every keeps up with the world championships in track and field or the national championship, but when the Olympics come around everyone is all on the track bandwagon. The Pythian Games were a precursor to the Olympics. The victors were presented with a laurel crown cut from a tree symbolical representing the slaying of the Python. What made these games different was that it hosted musical competitions because Apollo was also the god of music. 

           Not only do these games unite the several Greek city states, but so do their common religion and language. Dr. Henry pointed out that whenever another Greek nation conquered another they would still respect the temples that were already establish. Many say that is why the Greeks were punished after the Trojan war because they looted the temple of Apollo. 

Athens Day Four

          Athens today was exceptional; we got to visit Corinthians and Mycenae. However, the most life-changing experience was the Special Olympic Opening Ceremonies. It was truly amazing and more inspiring than any of the other sites we have seen. Not just because I'm a sports nut and I've been an Olympic fan since the dawn of time, but because of what the Special Olympics stood for. 

           It was a revolution for equality. The goal is to give the opportunity for everyone to compete and feel the power of sports to lift self-esteem and pride. The key word that was reiterated throughout the ceremony was dignity. People with disabilities want to be treated with respect and allowed to participant in all endeavors of life. Timothy Kennedy Shriver spoke on behalf of his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, about how impossibility is a frame of mind and that the only disadvantage anyone has is not believing in themselves and their god-given abilities. Everyone has a talent and a gift from God. Stevie Wonder gave a moving performance and speech about how God makes no mistakes and that were made perfectly in his eyes. 

           It warmed my heart to see the parade of athletes walk across the long platform with huge smiles on their faces. In a world that constantly puts them down and makes them feel less about themselves, it's truly revolutionary to create an environment of positivity and support. I absolutely loved hearing every person cheering and clapping for every team and seeing how enthusiastic and genuine they were. 

           I'm so grateful to be able to witness such an amazing movement. Everyone should have something they are proud of and that makes them feel good about themselves. Eunice Kennedy Shriver really has impacted the world with the founding of the Special Olympics. In it's short amount of time it has flourished and become one of the biggest events world-wide. Attending this event has been one of the best decisions of my life. 

Athens Day Three

          What a wonderful free morning in Athens. It was nice getting up without an alarm clock and just resting. Usually on our off days we have class and have a full day at the beach or around the town, but it was nice to lay in bed and catch up on some disney shows. Everyday, we are constantly on the move; seeing amazing sites and experiencing different cultures, but it was nice to have some down time just to relax and almost feel like I was back home on my couch in Austin. 

           We did visit Poseidon's temple in Sounion in the late afternoon and it was actually just as relaxing as the morning. The ride to the temple was along the coast of Athens so you can see the calms waves of the Aegean Sea. 

           The temple sat on on top of a hill surrounded by the sea. I found a wonderful protruding rock that looked out over the sea and it was a great time to reflect and look out in the array of blue; turquoise, teal, navy, and sky blue. 

           I've discovered on this trip that I am most at peace when viewing the ocean waters. It's so calming and tranquil. The water is absolutely gorgeous and seems to go on infinitely like the Greek key, we saw in the Acropolis Musuem. The key represents eternal life because it has no beginning or end. 

           The islands surrounded in an enchanted mist add to the mystery of the Sea. The world is so big and there is so much left I haven't seen. What is the name of that island? What kind of people inhabit it? I have so many questions about the world and I wanna discover them for myself. 

           However, I also miss my home and my family. Traveling the world is fantastic and I love every minute, but looking out onto the never-ending see makes me realize how far I am from home. It must of been like what Odysseus must of felt when sitting on Calypso's island longing for Ithaca. 

           I will always yearn for home, but while abroad I find my comfort in the ocean. No matter the struggles I'm facing or the stress I'm under, they magical seem to fade into the sounds of the oceans and the mystic view until they are completely gone. 

Athens Day Two

          Our first full day tour in Greece was filled with exciting sites. First we stopped by the Olympic Stadium, which was personally my favorite (as is all the sports related sites and topics). It's amazing how the Olympics bring unity within a team and also within the whole world; wars are halted and animosity turns into a friendly, competitive spirit. Countries come together to celebrate a time-honored tradition that dates back to 776 BC- 339 AD for the ancient games and 1894 to the present . It's truly amazing what sports can do for an athletes self-esteem and a country's pride. Patriotism is never greater than during the Olympic Games. It is truly a magical event.

           Our second stop was the infamous Athens' Acropolis. After viewing this magnificent site, I can understand how Athens became the envy of every Greek nation, a world treasure, and a model city to look upon. The  Our first full day tour in Greece was filled with exciting sites. First we stopped by the Olympic Stadium, which was personally my favorite (as is all the sports related sites and topics). It's amazing how the Olympics bring unity within a team and also within the whole world; wars are halted and animosity turns into a friendly, competitive spirit. Countries come together to celebrate a time-honored tradition that dates back to 776 BC- 339 AD for the ancient games and 1894 to the present . It's truly amazing what sports can do for an athletes self-esteem and a country's pride. Patriotism is never greater than during the Olympic Games. It is truly a magical event.

           This is a stark contrast in the Greek humility towards the God's and wanting to elevate the God's above themselves. In The Sea, The Sea, Xenophon attributes everything to the divine spirits and pours libations after every victory or good omen. At the end of their long campaign in Persia, the Greeks celebrate their homecoming with some traditional athletic games. This was to honor the Gods with their athletic prowess and give thanks for the blessings they have received.

           Every monday, the Baylor Track and Field team has a devotional that not only lifts our spirits and motivates us to work hard, but reminds us that using our talents and abilities glorifies God who gave us these gifts. It makes running more sacred and our victories more sweet because it is for a greater purpose than ourselves. In track and life in general, it's easy to become arrogant and complacent. However, when you live and run for God you continually strive to better yourself to please him and you humble yourself to give gratitude.   

Athens Day One

          After some much needed relaxing in Marmaris, Turkey and Rhodes, Greece, it seemed like a long travel day to Athens, even though it was probably our shortest one. Although I have been getting accustomed to the smaller, remote cities of Turkey like Assos and Pamukkale, I do enjoy the metropolitan area of Athens. Although it is more modernized today and has lost some of it's historical buildings and neoclassical styles, it is still steeped in rich ancient culture and history.  

           We visited Mars Hill that looked honestly just like a huge rock, but it's history of justice makes it fascinating. In classical times, Mars hill was known as the Areopagus and functioned as the chief homicide court of Athens. The name Areopagus is derived from the myth that Ares or Mars, the god of War, was tried here by the gods for the murder of Alirrothios, Poseidon's mortal son. This is an interesting case because it demonstrates that even the god's are subjected to the justice system and do not have free will to do whatever they want. 

           Another legend claims that the trial of Orestes for killing his mother and lover, Clytaemenstra and Aegisthus, took place on Mar's Hill. In our readings of Aeschylus, Orestes flees Mycenae to take refuge in Athena's temple. There she administers justice by demonstrating the athenian trial system with twelve jurors. Her tie-breaking vote for Orestes' sets him free and she appeals to the Furies by giving them a place of glory in Athens. Considering that Mar's Hill just below the acropolis where Athena's glorious temple was built, it would be logical that the trial took place on this location. 

           It is also said that Paul, one of the twelve Apostles, delivered his speech about "the Unknown God," on the Areopagus. Paul noted that the Athenians were very religious and had many objects of worship and alters. One in particular that he noticed had an inscription "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD," he was there to proclaim the unknown God to them. The Athenians were interested and brought him to Mar's Hill to learn about the strange ideas that Paul was teaching. Although some rebuked his claims, others believed in the resurrection of Jesus and became believers and followers. 

           We then walked around the ancient agora, although back in antiquity women were not permitted in this area. Public meetings such as those to discuss ostracism were held in the agora. The jury ballot was an intriguing system where people would put their name in a slot and there would be coordinating red and white balls on each row. Then whichever row had the white ball drop were the jury for that particular case. The process of picking the assembly (i think it's called) was also systematic. There were 10 provinces and each would pick 50 men to go to the agora and vote and give their opinions about the state of affairs for 36 days. Boys went to the agora to learn how to be good Athenian men. They learned the qualities of leadership, rhetoric, and heroism. 

Free Day in Marmaris

          Aeschylus in the Oresteia, an ancient Greek trilogy, about the murder of Agamemnon by his wife, Clytaemnestra, Orestes' avenging his father, and then the trial Orestes faces after the murder of his mother. Aeschylus uses the play to explore the concept of justice and how it should be served. 

          The Furies, ancient deities, are goddesses of revenge and Clytaemnestra urges them to vindicate her by punishing her son that killed her. She states, "I go stripped of honor, thanks to you, alone among the dead. And for those I killed and the charged of the dead will never cease, never- I wander in disgrace, I feel the guilt, I tell you withering fueled from all the outraged dead (Line 100, Eumenides)." Without justice for her death, Clytaemnestra may never rest peacefully in Hades, which is why revenge has no end.

          "It is the law: when the blood of slaughter wets the ground it wants more blood (Line 393 Agamemnon)," said the chorus of old men who Aeschylus uses to elaborate more on the central themes of the play. The house of Argos has been plagued with vengeance. Aegisthus holds a grudge against Atreus, Agamemnon's father, for dishonoring his father, Thyestes, who is also Atreus' brother. Long ago, Thyestes was exiled from Argos for challenging Atreus for the crown but then was fooled into coming back home and feasting on his children's flesh. Clytamenestra was angry with Agamemnon for sacrificing their daughter, Iphigeneia, for favorable winds to Troy. Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra both wanted Agamemnon's blood spilled for different reasons but needed each other to accomplish it. Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytamenestra, is outraged at his mother's actions because his father died dishonorably, his birthright was taken away, he was driven to exile, and his sister was treated as a slave. To be an avenger is to tip to scales of justice back and forth, but to be a judge is to administer proper justice and level the scales. 

          Athena, the goddess of wisdom, aids the situation by demonstrating a legal system that judges fairly with an impartial jury, which is very similar to today's trial by jury. The prosecutor, the Furies, and the defense, Orestes and Apollo, the god of prophets, both get to present their case to the jury and hope that they find them in the right. 

          The arguments for both sides were very interesting because it unraveled the societal importance of males and females. Which act of murder was more impious? The Furies argued that Orestes had killed his mother who shares the same blood and nursed him as a child. Conversely, Apollo states that the relationship between husband and wife is more sacred and is blessed by the highest goddess herself, Hera. Apollo, in addition, does not believe that a woman is a parent but a field the seed is planted and grown in and the father is the source of life. Athena is a prime example of how the mother is unnecessary in the conception of a child because she was sprung from the mind of Zeus. The Furies found hypocrisy in Apollo's argument on how patriarchy was more important because Zeus himself overthrew his father, Cronus, in order to rule. However, Apollo counteracted the statement by explaining that Zeus did not spill his own father's blood but merely suppressed his authority by caging him with the other titans. The Furies are enraged with the double standards Apollo is claiming; Orestes can avenge his father, but Clytaemnestra cannot avenge her daughter. Clytaemnestra states after she had murdered Agamemnon, "but he sacrificed his own child, our daughter, the agony I labored into love to charm away the savage winds of Thrace. Didn't the law demand you banish him? - hunt him from the land for all his guilt? But now you witness what I've done and you are ruthless judges (Lines 1441 Agamemnon)." 

          The jury found both arguments equally compelling and it was an even six votes for each. Athena's vote for Orestes' breaks it and he is released from his guilt and punishment. The Furies threaten Athens with torment and darkness for their injustice. Mainly, they are upset with the Athena and Apollo, the new Olympian gods that have ridden their ancient powers. The newest generations of gods are turning the old world order upside down and the Furies' pride is injured. 

          Athena finds a solution to the Furies' anger by offering them a equal rule in Athens. She wants to them to have an important role in the Athenian lives and be glorified for their good deeds. Their names would be changed to Eumenides, the Benevolent Ones, and they would be worshipped as goddesses of light instead of feared goddesses of the night. This pleases the ancient deities because their role in the world is not lost with the new generation, but incorporated to make it better. 

          Aeschylus through a captivating plot line and eloquent language glorifies the Athenian legal system of administering justice. Instead of the violent act of revenge that is ceaseless, the trial presented a fair and effective way of appeasing everyone. Orestes' restored the house of Argos and his proper place on the throne and the Furies found their new role in the world.  

Miletus

          Miletus was captivating, not only because of the adorable puppies running around, but because it really made me reflect on the revolution of ancient philosophy and education. Miletus is considered the origin of Greek philosophy because in the 6th century Thales, followed by Anaximander and Anaximines began to speculate about the world in a scientific way versus the traditional or supernatural explanations at the time. 

         My philosophical studies have only dated back to Socrates so it was really eye-opening to hear about the pre-socratic studies. In the early centuries, studying was more interdisciplinary like the BIC program! Thales is not only considered as the first philosopher in Greek tradition, but a business man, politician, sage, and mathematician. 

         Stories are told that Thales bought all the olive presses in Miletus after predicting the weather and good harvest for that particular year. He became very wealthy, but stated later that he wanted to demonstrate how intelligence can enrich your life. 

         Thales is considered the first true mathematician. He was the first to use deductive reasoning applied to geometry, by deriving Thales Theorem. In addition, he used geometry to solve common problems such as calculating the height of pyramids and the distance of the ships to the shore. 

         The idea of intelligence being all-encompassing has faded in time. Especially today we see more specialists like podiatrist (foot doctor), cardiologist (heart doctor), or a oncologist (cancer doctor). Those are only a few of the several types of medical specialists. There are even beauty specialists today like facialists, manicurists, and hair stylists when not so long ago one person was able to do all of these things. 

         Specialization could be attributed to the advances in research and technology hat has occurred recently. It might not be possible for one person to obtain all the knowledge about several different subjects. However, I do think it's important that we study other fields to enhance our intellectual capacity and overall well-being. 

         Thales was able to improve his business skills by using his scientific inquiries and his mathematical comprehension helped him solve everyday problems. Different kinds of reason and wisdom aids in all aspects of life. I think that's why I enjoy BIC so much because you can see the big picture of why we study various subjects. Some people may complain that religion, math, or biology is not in their major, but the skills you acquire in these classes help those in my major. For example, the reasoning and logic behind calculus help me in rhetoric and memorization in biology help me in religion. Also, I enjoy seeing the connection in all these subjects. I always joke about how I have come full circle when I find the relationship between two completely different studies, but it really is an inspiring revelation. 

         Even social skills and physical abilities complement a well rounded life. A common Greek saying is "Mens sana in corpore sano," which means a sound mind in a healthy body. The Greeks not only celebrated intellect, but honored the gods with olympic games featuring their athletic prowess. For example, in The Sea, The Sea when they finally reached the ocean, they celebrated with some games on top of the mountain like javelin throwing, chariot racing, and running. 

Virgin Mary's House

           We first toured what was considered to be the last home of the Virgin Mary, that is nestled in the mountains outside of Ephesus. A couple students in our group voiced that they did not truly believe that this was in fact the house of the Virgin Mary because the discovery of it seemed questionable. Supposedly in the 19th Century a nun from Germany named Anna Catherine Emmerich had visions that described with amazing accuracy the hills of Ephesus and the house where she saw the Virgin Mary spending her last years. Accordingly, two scientific expeditions were organized, and they found this house to match her visions accordingly. 

           Historically two pieces of evidence can support this theory. Firstly, in the "Acts of the Apostles," they assigned to each apostle a different sect of the world to preach the Gospel, and St. John was given Asia Minor. In his Gospel, he tells us that Jesus, before dying on the Cross, entrusted to him the care of His Mother when He said, "Here is your Mother." St. John's tomb was later discovered in Ephesus and with the ongoing persecutions and his assignment to Asia Minor, it would make sense that St. John would bring Mary to Ephesus with him. 

           The second supporting argument that this indeed was the Virgin Mary's house is that the first Basilica of the world that was dedicated to her was found in Ephesus. In the early days of the Church, places of worship were only dedicated to people who had lived or died in that location. In addition, the Ecumenical Council of 431 was held in Ephesus in this Basilica in order to define the dogma of the Divine Motherhood of Mary. Another confirmation is the oral tradition of the Villagers of Kirkindje, who are the descendants of the christians of Ephesus. They full-heartedly believe that the death of Mary occurred in that house, which they call Panaghia Kapulu. On August 15th, the Villagers of Kirkindje make an annual pilgrimage to this site.

           Skeptics may agree that these historical accounts are not sufficient evidence of that the Virgin Mary indeed lived her last years in that house, but to many Christians it is and in fact to Muslims also. At the end of the very brief tour of the house, there were several translations of passages in the Quran about the virtue of Mary. The juxtaposition of the Quran passages and the traditional Catholic candle lighting was inspiring to me. Seeing the two religions worship side by side in peace was heartwarming. Whereas in the churches converted to a mosque like the Hagia Sophia and the Chora, the religions are almost battling each other inside the walls fighting for space. 

           Also, the Quran was translated into several languages, probably 6-8 which I thought also showed how people from all over the world come together at this location.   The wall full of wishes and prayers was a beautiful, unconventional mosaic of paper, tissues, and cloth that displayed the diversity of the believers; some were christian prayers, others Islamic, some were in english, others were in Japanese, or German. 

          Along with my classmates, I may not fully believe this is the house of Mary but I do believe that it is a special place that brings together all different types of people which makes it sacred to me. The homeric epic poems may not have been true, but it did give Greeks a sense of unity and pride. At this time Greece was not yet a nation, but several city states ruled by kings; Achilles king of the Myrmidons, Odysseus king of Ithaca, and Menalaus king of Sparta. Although the stories of the Trojan War and Odysseus' wild sea adventures may not have been completely true, they were passed on for centuries because they depict the virtues and values of the Greeks that bring them together. Another example is the Aeneid, an epic Latin poem written by Virgil about Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy to found Rome. The fall of Troy in the Iliad was tragic for the Trojans, but the Aeneid tale redeems their glory by having them found one of the largest, most powerful empires in the world. 

Aphrodisias

         The ancient city Aphrodisias was a place of myth for so long until the 1950s, Ara Guler, a turkish photographer, took shelter from a severe storm in a village called Geyre in Turkey. The next morning he woke up and walked outside to find two ordinary villagers smoking cigarettes on an extraordinary bench made of marble and had carvings of dolphins, a symbol of fortune tellers during the classical era. With the rain not clouding his vision, Guler found pieces of roman ruins scattered throughout the village, halfway buried into the ground, recycled parts into the new houses, or used as grape mashers. 

         Guler snapped iconic photos that are exhibited at Aphrodisias today and submitted them to his archaeologist friend, Kenan Erim. Erim, students from NYU, and other turkish archaeologists uncovered the entire city; it's stadium, theater, agora, and pool. It's truly amazing how much time and effort the archaeologists commit to these sites. Cenk, our tour guide, explained how the archaeologists must slowly dig and swift through all the dirt looking for smaller ruin pieces. This takes a lot of patience and certain weather conditions, which limits the amount of time they can accomplish this task. The dirt must be completely dry, which means they can only work in the summer, so uncovering sites can take decades, or even longer to uncover. Not only do the seasons limit the archaeologists, but also their area of speciality. Each archaeologist may specialize in a certain era of that particular location, and when they discover a different era outside of their specialty then they must call upon their colleagues that do. 

         Simply finding the location and then digging carefully through meters of earth itself is very difficult, but then the archaeologists must resurrect the ruins. It's like having a life-size puzzle with enormous stone or marble pieces and maybe half of them missing. Dr. Moore, one of our accompanying professors, had visiting the site just five years prior and said that amount of progress that he had witnessed was amazing. From being just a small pieces here and there in a small village, to being piles of stones scattered about, then to having the grand entry way of the city restored to life is quite astonishing. 

         Many considered Aphrodisias to have the best sculpting school in the world and this was demonstrated throughout the city. The friezes that cover the walls of the ancient buildings had sculptures of various faces, which exhibited all the work of the students of the city. Every face was unique as was each student making it. 

         As an athlete, what impacted me that most was the stadium. My heart found joy in knowing that even in the earlier centuries sports brought people together from near and far to witness truly amazing god-given talent. Even Odysseus and the Phaeacians enjoyed some olympic games amongst themselves and Odysseus bests all of them. Sports not only give you a sense of pride, but it brings people together: whether your an athlete, a fan, or a coach. The stadium at Aphrodisias was immense and comparable to some large high school stadiums in the U.S today. Although the city itself was not very large, the stadium was built to support the surrounding cities coming to watch the events taking place. It was 198m long or one stadia, which was the standard measuring unit back then. Not only was the stadium steeped with athletic history, but of gladiator and chariot racing. 

Pergamon

          Another long travel day in Turkey from Assos to Bergama, site of the ancient city of Pergamon, but full of exciting sites and reflections. Again we stopped at a small rest stop after two hours of bus travel and it reminded me of the ancient traditions of war to stop for lunch at noon and when the sun goes down to break for dinner and rest for the night. In the Odyssey, Menelaus insists on feasting and enjoying each other's company before discussing important matters. It's a loose connection, but both have the theme of tradition and fellowship.

          When we arrived in the city of Bergama, we first visited the Asclepieion or the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing. The people of the ancient Pergamon would go there to receive a holistic healing process. The natural spring would flow into the Asclepieion and the doctors used these natural resources to cure their patients. The hot and cold water would flow separately into two areas and were utilized for hydrotherapy, where the patient switches between the two temperatures of water for pain relief. This technique is still used today in advanced treatment rooms for athletes. After long workouts and weight lifting sessions, you can see the Baylor Track and Field team alternate between the hot and cold jet tubs every two minutes to flush out the lactic acid. How this works is the hot water relaxes your muscles and then when you switch to the cold water it constricts the muscles and releases the lactic acid into your blood vessels like squeezing a toothpaste tube. For this reason, it is so important to drink plenty of fluids before and after workouts to excrete the lactic acid waste. 

          This is just another great reminder of how people back then were not so different then people today. This idea makes learning history a better experience because you can relate to the figures you are studying versus them just being some random person in time. Soon we will be part of the history books and future space living, car flying, teleporting people will read about what we did during this century. Isn't that cool to think about how people might look at buildings we see on a daily basis and study them and try to uncover our culture. 

          For example, Odysseus' longing for home is the same sentiment shared today's society. I think everyone has that innate desire to eventually want to return to your home, where you belong and where your heart is. I don't think Penelope was just his loving wife that matched his wit and intellect, but she was his home, his haven. It's also not a matter of location, but the meaning and significance behind it. Ithaca was a rocky and non-fertile area, but to Odysseus it was the most beautiful site to see. It's like my run-down, old, torn up track in East Austin. It will always have a special place in my heart because it is where I first found my true passion for track. I realized I was great at it on my newly renovated middle school track in Westlake, but the East Austin track is where I found my love for it. I had to work twice as hard there because the competition was stiffer and the environment was tougher. I spent long evenings there trying to just keep up with the other girls at practice. It's odd to think that my fondest memories of track were of my most painful practices, but they really shaped me as a runner and as a person. Being the least experienced runner, minority in an all African-American team and an outsider in an established group of girls, I had to persevere through the first season. From it, I became a faster, stronger racer, made lifetime friends, and less racially conscious. I feel that because I emerged myself within a different race group, I'm more comfortable around any race. Society creates various stigma to all races, but I feel like I was almost desensitized to it. Now, I can honestly say sometimes I don't even notice race. I don't group my friends into race categories even though I easily could. My sorority sisters, who are mainly Caucasian, and my track friends, who are mainly African Americans, all seem to blend in together in my eyes. That was a long tangent, but basically the East Austin track will hold a special place in my heart because it made me who I am as did the whole city of Austin, my home or Ithaca. 

          Back to to the Asclepieion, the holistic nature of the healing process that it encompasses was the most fascinating to me. The idea of health as the mind, body, and soul was very prevalent during these times. In order to increase morale, the Asclepieion had a Roman theater, temple, and a library. There was an underground tunnel that the patient would slowly walk through and steam would rise within the dark walls with opium while the doctor would walk along the outside of the tunnel and speak encouraging words. Positive affirmation is so powerful that successful athletes go to sports psychologists to practice it. Every Monday, the Baylor track team has a devotion for the week and I firmly believe that it impacts not only our morale but our performance. 

          I hope that western medicine soon adopts a more holistic style, not only for our own personal health to improve, but our lifestyle. I feel that we rely to much on prescription drugs and for doctors to just cure us instantly. Often we worry to much about our physical health, but neglect our mental or spiritual health. I believe that all three are connected and if one is lacking, then all three will decline. When all three of these things are actively working together, then our lifestyles changes dramatically for the better and our overall health skyrockets. 

Troy and Assos

Morning breakfast over the terrace of our hotel in Istanbul at 6:30am was both beautiful and dreadful, but our four hour bus ride to the boat ferry across the Dardanelles was plentiful amount of time to catch up on some sleep and reading. Turkish people always take a tea/bathroom break every two to two and a half hours and it was a fun stop to participant in a local tradition. All the buses pulled into this cafe/diner/market place with several tables and chairs. There was not quite a waiter or a cashier. We just followed the locals to this window where all the waiters were making two and busily passing them out to those sitting at the tables. It was a little overwhelming because the waiters would turn to you and ask you what you wanted to order, so I stood there timidly there for a while till I got the nerve to ask for erma cay, or apple tea. Then the waiter/barista asked me for one turkish lira and place it on a pile of money casually on a dish. Shortly, a waiter came by with my apple tea to my table and I was able to enjoy the delicious turkish drink. Although it is so similar to apple cider, I have a tendency to call it that.

I have noticed in a lot of the store vendors or services are very casual about their business. When we were buying antique arabic calligraphy paintings the other day, the man made change for my large bill from his own wallet when the cash register was out of money. 

Also, I thought it was strange how all the products were just placed out in the open. For example, when walking up to the Athena temple the road was lined with street vendors with their products out in the open. My first initial thought is how we have always been warned about pick pocketing and theft in Turkey or anywhere outside the U.S, but why aren't these street vendors worried about their products. Someone could easily just grab it and run. Sometimes I would see the salesman sleeping in the back of their store hut or not even present at all. Then I thought, maybe it is because of the fellowship because the citizens of Turkey. I wouldn't want to rob anyone personally, but especially not my fellow Americans. Also, I would assume that all the shop keeps around are friends and would look out for each other. I noticed that even though they sell the same products sometimes, they don't seem competitive. In other countries I have visited the adjacent sales person would convince you to look at their products instead and jockey for your business. 

Perhaps it can be seen as the value of Xenia or guest-friendship, the greek value that was a reoccurring theme in the Odyssey. Odysseus did wander the very sea we are gazing upon in Assos, which is absolutely breathtaking. Looking at the land of Lesbos was surreal because I always read about it in greek mythology and actually seeing it made the stories come alive. As scaling the Athena Temple in Assos and climbing on the ruins to take silly pictures made the greek mythologies of the God's more understandable to me. Sometimes it's hard to grasp how people as intellectual as the Greeks were to believe in such overtop myths about the Greek Gods. However, standing on top of the hilltop seeing the temple ruins and imagining the majesty of what it was while overlooking the sea and surrounding islands makes the idea more tangible. The favor and mixed up emotions of the Gods were very real to the Greeks and were not to be played with. Could you imagine hulling all those rocks and stones up that hill in order to build a grand temple? I had trouble just walking up it with my backpack, but it was worth the view for me and for the ancient Greeks it was worth the protection of Athena, the goddess of wisdom in war.   

In addition, physically standing on top of the ruins of Troy created a whole new level of truth and excitement for the Iliad. I actually stood in the spot where Priam watched Hector was slain and looked out where his body would of been dishonored and dragged across the dirt. It's as if you actually discovered a genie lamp like from Aladdin the disney film and realize that this whole time you thought it was a legend, but it's real! Or if you discovered there were vampires like the Cullen family! Now reading the Iliad and the Odyssey is more interesting because it's more history than a crazy old guy making up stories. Of course the love story between Helen and Paris is very questionable, but at least we know the story is based on some truth. 

Day 3 Istanbul

            Today we took a train? or maybe an above ground metro? to Taksim Square, which is a popular place for locals to go. We had help from many Turkish people getting there because we clearly looked like lost, confused tourists. When we were on the subway, I guess you could call it ha, one of the locals overheard us trying to figure out which stop to go to and he explained that we had to get off at the next stop and switch trains in order to get to Kabatas (our stop to switch to the metro to get to the square). At first we were confused because the train clearly said that it lead to Kabatas, but when he lead us to the other side we realized that the train we were just on went backwards the way we came. Therefore, if we stayed on that train we would of headed straight back to our hotel! When we finally got to Kabatas we had to switch to an underground metro, but it was another 2 TL so we decided to walk up the steep slope up to the square. I really thought the stairs would never end, but when we finally reached the top locals were very friendly in pointing us in the direction of the square. I have found that most Turkish people are very friendly and helpful. Perhaps they also have a tradition of hospitality or Xenia. It wouldn't be surprising if they shared a lot of the values that the Greeks had that Homer depicted in the Iliad and the Odyssey. One of the most important things that we were warned about in coming to Turkey was to be respectful, which is part of being a good guest in a guest-friendship setting. A lot of the locals ask us how we like their country and find great pride in our kind-responses. Also, some have been to Texas before and say that we are very genuine and nice people and they seem to go out of their way to be kinder to us. So like when Menelaus or Nestor took care of Telemachus because his father was of great honor and would do the same for them, the Turkish people are very friendly to us because they expect the same. 

            Taksim Square could kind of be compared to Times Square in New York. It seemed like the central hub of Istanbul. Lots of cool spots to eat and shop! It seemed more modern and contemporary compared to Sultanhamet, where we were staying. There was a modern mall and western stores like Nike, Adidas, and Gap. However, there were a lot of clothing brand stores that I have never heard of and assumed might of been a Turkish or perhaps a middle eastern clothing line? It was refreshing to go to the more contemporary side of Istanbul, because we have been studying all the ancient buildings and we forget that Istanbul is actually very modern and fast becoming a fashion capital of the world (which i learned in America's Next Top Model). I think I overheard too that some students study business here in Istanbul and it is becoming a better industrial city. 

            Our first stop in Taksim Square was Bambi Burgers, which was a Turkish fast food chain. I had the Islek Hamburger, which was a buttered burger bun with melted cheese and lamb meat covered with a marina tomato sauce! It was delicious! I would choose it over McDonalds anyday. I also had a lamb wrapped in a pita type bread but pressed like a panini. Oddly they put french fries within the sandwich. One of my fellow classmates, David, pointed at a specific sandwich but later realized he accidentally order a cow tongue sandwich! You soon realize the difficulty of the language barrier when coming to a foreign country. I wonder if the Greeks and the Trojans had that problem. Or did they both speak Greek? And if not, then how did they communicate? What about the allies that the Trojans had? Could they speak the same language and that is why they were allies? The Greeks as we discussed had a common language which unified them even though they were a bunch of city states, but not a nation. 

             

Day 2 Istanbul

        Today we went to the famous Spice Market, which is quite small in comparison to the Grand Bazaar but I found it much more preferable. The scents of the exotic spices, herbs, and teas filled the pavilion and lured you into certain shops (if the Turkish men with funny english catch phrases did not). Looking at the various products made me appreciate the rich blend in culture that has shaped the Turkey. Obviously not all the spices were found in Turkey, but imported from various places around the world like India, Africa, Asia. 

         As Americans, I feel like we are isolated from other cultures not just geographically, but by choice. We think too highly of ourselves and are not open to what other cultures have to offer. Turkey and most other countries in Europe and Asia have integrated other traditions into their own making a true melting pot of values. 

It's like in Aladdin when is taking Jasmine on a magic carpet and he sings of how he can open her eyes to a whole new world (my four year old niece asked me how he literally can open her eyes). Having a magic carpet or a perhaps a plane really opens your eyes to the world around you and discover new things and adventures.

         I've studied the globe and understand the orientation of it, but actually being straddled between Europe and Asia made me realize the proximity of all these amazing civilizations. Greece is a boat ride away! For some reason that blows my mind. Maybe it's because I live in Texas and just getting out of the state takes forever, but in Europe each country and it's unique heritage is like Rhode Island to Connecticut. This proximity probably helped the Trojans get so many allies to help them fight off the Greeks. 

Day 1 Istanbul

     Today was our first full day of Istanbul! Geez it was tiring, but it was jam packed full of cultural adventure and beautiful sites! I especially enjoyed connecting both Christianity and Islamic faith to the land of Anatolia. I suppose it's like when you read two completely separate stories, but find a connecting passage in each that ties the two together. Maybe Istanbul didn't necessarily link Christianity and Islam together, but somehow in my mind the two finally coincided somehow. Maybe it was seeing both the Christian symbolism and the Islamic mosque features in the Hagia Sophia that really meshed the two together. It's truly amazing how much history Turkey has and how it has shaped religion, the country, and the world.
     I think what fascinates me the most is the astonishing age of these historic buildings. I can't even imagine how incredible these structures must of meant during that time period. Considering the technology they had back then, the amount of time it took to build these churches and mosques, the intricate designs and delicate details inside make it a masterpiece then and now. Perhaps it's also the timelessness of the building that amazes me the most. Usually we think of something old as dingy and useless, but these ancient buildings are so important to our understanding of history and are still incredible artwork in itself.
     Chenk discussed how a whole civilizations history would be wiped out and these archaeological finds are the key to rediscovering those histories. It's like history is a huge puzzle with missing pieces and with every discovery or piece we can get a better view of the big picture. I think that's why some ancient texts like Homer's epic poems are an important part to culture. Even though they may not necessarily be true, it depicts real Greek values and emotions.
     At the Archaelogical Museum, there was a small section dedicated to Troy and discussed Homer's tale of the war. Although the Trojan War actually did occur, most people would agree that the love story behind the war is false. However, I feel that Homer's story is an accurate portrayal of greek civilization at that time in terms of their values like honor, hospitality, and piety. In World Cultures 4, we read the book "The Things They Carried," which described the experience of a soldier in the Vietnam War. It is considered a metafiction because the characters were fiction but based on some stories that actually happened to the author during the war. However, the author would say that his story is completely true because it describes real emotion that the soldiers felt. Sometime the true story or facts don't accurately portray the actual sentiment of the story, which I believe applies to Homer's epic poems.

Traveling

Finally on the way to Istanbul, Turkey! I feel like it was just yesterday that I signed up for the trip! Packing for a month was so difficult especially knowing that we would be traveling frequently so packing light was a must. I tried to be a smart by packing clothes that would be easy to wash and dry at the hotel and durable to go on long walking tours. Also, I had to factor in that we would be in completely foreign country so everyday items such as contact solution and my specific face wash would need to be packed in a larger amount because if I ran out who knows how I would find a replacement.            Trying to be prepared for an emergency of foreign situation was so tough. I wonder how the Greeks prepared for their long journey to Troy without even knowing when they would return. I'm sure many have never even been to Troy, so how were they suppose to know what the weather would be like? I assume that the soldier dress to suit the climate they were fighting in. So suppose Troy was as cold as Serbia, how would the soldier know what they were getting themselves into? Maybe that is trivial, but this thought made me think about the conveniences we have today in the 21st century. I can easily go online or even on my phone and look at the weather in Turkey and pack accordingly.             In addition the transportation makes traveling way easier and accessible to more people. I personally was dreading the long flight overseas, but what is 10 hours versus weeks of travel by boat? Charting unknown seas and submitting to the whims of the sea must of been frustrating and sometimes frightening.             Most soldiers didn't even making it home after war, not because of the fighting but because of the voyage home. Odysseus was cursed to sail the sea endlessly, which sounds worse than the actual Trojan War. In the Odyssey, Homer clearly depicts Odysseus longing for home and the heartache he felt thinking about Ithaca. Though I am super excited for the beautiful sights of Turkey and Greece, I know I will be equally eager to go home to my family and friends. There truly is no place like home.

Illiad

"I too shall lie in the dust when I am dead, but now let me win noble renown"


            God-like Achilles knew of his two fates before the war had even begun; one was to earn eternal glory and honor forever, but live a short life and die far away from home in Troy or to live a happy, long, prosperous life at home in Greece.
            For the Greeks, earning eternal fame was far more important than living a full happy life because no matter who you are or what you do on earth, everyone shares the same fate-- to go to Hades. No matter how God-like or gifted you were, you could never become a real God on Mount Olympus. The only way to gain immortality was to create a lasting legacy through your name that will carry on for ages, which is what Achilles sought after. They did not believe in reincarnation or eternal salvation so after death you were bound to the underworld forever. This made honor and respect even more necessary on earth.
             Throughout the war novel, honor was held in such a high standard. Achilles was outraged because he was blatantly disrespected in front of the Greek army by Agaememnon. Later Achilles would note that Zeus would restore his honor and he alone had the authority to do that. 
             A brief side-note on that. The other day I was talking to my boyfriend about a recent confrontation he had been. We were at my friend's house and the neighbor came out and yelled at him for having his music on too loud in his car. My boyfriend, Sterling, apologized, but the neighbor continued to scream at him which angered Sterling and he ended up yelling back. I personally thought he should of swallowed his pride and walked away, but Sterling said that he wasn't going to let someone disrespect him like that. Likewise, I thought Achilles should of swallowed his pride for his fellow soldiers and earn his honor on the field. Maybe it is because I'm a woman and don't understand male insecurities and trying to be all tough and macho. Or I thought maybe it was because of how I was raised. I am a first generation Vietnamese-American and Asian culture in general teaches you submission to authority. While Sterling is a African-American and he explained that it is often hard for him to be submissive because he finds he is treated differently because of his race. 
            Just thought that was an interesting connection but back to the Iliad. Not only did one's personal honor play an important role during the novel, but honoring prior hospitality or friendship ties. For example Diomedes of the Greek Army and Glaucus fighting for the Trojans realized that their Grandfathers hosted each other back in the day so their families had vows of friendship. They therefore exchanged their armors to symbolize this truce and did not cross spears during the battle. Diomedes also mentioned that anytime Glaucus was in Greece he would entertain him and likewise if Diomedes was in Lycia. 
            This shows how the war was still somewhat civilized. The Greeks still had enough respect for the Trojans as honorable men to uphold their original truce. Also, the war was not about sneak attacks and tricks (well at least until the end). It was originally a war where it was the Greek's best men and the Trojan's best faced each other in head on combat and the country with the best men will prevail. So they would break for lunch and at night and resume in the morning. That was considered an "honorable war." While I was reading the Iliad, I stopped to watch the movie Centurion, which was about the Roman army trying to conquer the northern British isles where the Picts were defending their land. It has nothing to do with the Greeks, but the theme of "honorable war" came to me during this movie. The Romans were frustrated because this was not a traditional head on war, but a war of trickery and savagery. The Picts would hide in the woods and use the land to their advantage to ambush the Romans. No burial rights were upheld and it was basically a no rules war. 
            Just as the Romans cared deeply for the burial rights of their soldiers as did the Greeks and Trojans. Achilles decided to finally honor Hector's death and give the Trojans time to grieve. The burial and grieving process was so sacred to both the Greeks and the Trojans. Both sides wanted proper burial for their men so that they may enter Hades in good standing. Patroculus wakes Achilles in his sleep to ask him why he hasn't sent him to the underworld yet and tell him that he is tired of wandering in front of the gates of Hades. Priam, Hectors father and King of Troy, was in desperation to attain his son's body so that he can give him a hero's funeral because it gives him a better standing in the underworld. I think that is why it was so demeaning to have Hector's body dragged across the plain and later to be eaten by the dogs because his honor would be destroyed and he would have no place in the afterlife.
            I think also the visual evidence of the body and death make it easier on the family and loved ones to cope with the passing of someone they loved. It's like in Law and Order: SVU where cases go cold because they can't find them missing body. Families can't find closure because the death of their loved ones isn't real to them without the body. When they finally do find and and are able to make peace with the death then they can move on. Priam pleaded to Achilles to give him Hector's body out of respect for him as a soldier and pity for Priam as a poor old King. Then Priam and all of Troy were able to have closure of their heroes death.