In the Iliad, Hector is a Trojan prince who leads his people in their war against the Greeks. Book 6 describes his character and reason for fighting. Hector is the Trojans’ pillar, a humble man who accepts his fate but fights so he can earn fame while securing the Trojans’ future. All the Trojans look... Continue Reading →
Overview of Mycenaean Greece
Mycenaean Greece was the late Bronze Age period of Greek history from around 1750 to 1050 BC, when the first advanced civilization emerged in mainland Greece. It is named after the city of Mycenae. The Mycenaean Greeks made significant advances in engineering, architecture, and military infrastructure. They created the first Greek script, Linear B, and... Continue Reading →
Aeneas’ Pietas against Dido’s anti-Pietas
The Aeneid is an epic poem by Virgil that tells an origin story of the Romans and was Rome’s national epic. One of the most famous episodes of the work is Aeneas’ tragic affair with Dido, which ends with Dido’s suicide. This essay will argue that Aeneas’ staunch inclination to following his pietas most strongly... Continue Reading →
Criseyde’s Tragic Journey to Love and Back
One of the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s most famous poems is Troilus and Criseyde, a retelling of the classic love tragedy poem. It is set amid the background of the Trojan War, but in a 14th century environment. In it, the Trojan prince Troilus falls in love with the Trojan noblewoman Criseyde. Criseyde is a... Continue Reading →