at the state of religion today though we see religion as a purely ritualistic nature. One’s Godis not considered at all times, or when taking action, but only when a person faces danger,wishes to gain something, or in times when that person is forced to think of their God (i.e. Church). Homer knew that reverence to one’s God was not merely an act to be considered on only certain occasions. He knew that with ever action a man takes, with every thought one considers, that the wishes of God(s) should play the central part in determining what to do. Wise men already know this, as did Homer, which is reflectedthrough The Iliad. Achilles’ mother prays to Zeus to help her son in his quest to defeat the Acheans. Achilles himself had spent much time praying and worshipping to Zeus, andbecause of this, and his mother’s interaction, that Zeus started to help the Trojans in battleagainst the Acheans. Zeus even went so far as to himself cast doom and defeat down upon the Acheans. Acts of the Gods such as this did not come merely out of coincidenceor random selection. The reverence which Achilles and his mother paid to Zeus persuadedhim to intervene on behalf of the Trojans. Today’s “religious” people could learn a great lesson from this particular scene. Many claim to have the favor of God, and may even Page 5pray and worship for the sake of ritual. Homer knew though, that only if one truly kept the Gods in heart and honestly and faithfully spent time worshipping them could they berewarded for their reverence. Any reward a man receives should be credited to the Gods,for if not then the efforts of the Gods have gone in vain, and may not be repeated. For as The Iliad shows us, only consistent reverence of the Gods will win their favor and help men to lead satisfying lives. (Virtual Iliad).The greatness of a leader can be determined by many qualities such as valor, honor, brevity, and other such ...
