Homer’s Iliad uses Diomedes as a personification of his definition of leadership. Homer contrasts Diomedes with Agamemnon who he believes is unproductive, cowardly, and ineffective. Homer believes the ability to stand up for one’s beliefs and to act independent, even when the authority is against you, are the qualities of a good leader. Diomedes is first to criticize Agamemnon for his retreat plan in Book 9 after suffering great losses at Hector’s hands. He also unifies Achaean forces by promising words. Diomedes’ promise to unite the Achaean forces after the failed Achilles mission in Book 9 is what gives hope to the Achaean monarchs. Diomedes’ bravery is tested again when Agamemnon, who was tempted by thoughts of home and surrender, urges Diomedes to resist and continue the fight. Diomedes saves Achaean troops from Agamemnon’s incompetence and leads them to fall.
Homer equates independence and bravery with leadership when describing the panicked Achaean reactions to recent Trojan victories. Agamemnon, in a state utterly dejected and hopeless, contemplates returning to his homeland, sailing back in shame. Diomedes replies, “Desert, if you’re driven by your spirit…but we will hold out until Troy is plundered” (Il. 9.48-53). Diomedes recognizes that Troy’s fate is sealed, and that abandoning siege at this time would be to let down both his troops and fellow countrymen. Diomedes’s leadership is effective and he bravely asserts his rightful opinion.
Diomedes also shows his superior leadership after Achilles’ embassy is a failure. He takes control and refuses Agamemnon’s suggestion to retreat or surrender. Diomedes is quick to criticize Agamemnon as the Achean kingdoms fall into despair. He then orders him: “Deploy you chariots…and yourself, fight in the front ranks” (Il.9.863-865). Achilles’ stubbornness is not a sign of defeat, but rather cowardice. That’s contrary to Homer and his definition of leadership. Diomedes understands that he must be in the forefront of battle, unlike Agamemnon. Diomedes shows that he is a leader who can be productive and effective. He has a clear and unorthodox approach, which makes him stand out.
Diomedes, a great leader, shines in contrast to Agamemnon, whose leadership is inadequate. Agamemnon again proposes that Achaeans should flee to Greece out of shame. Diomedes rejects the idea of surrendering, and does not agree to it or express his desire for return like many soldiers. Diomedes declares, “I tell you, return to the fight, even if we’re wounded” (Il. 14.156), a command that is enthusiastically embraced and followed by all of his soldiers. Diomedes’ power to lead the Achaeans is unmatched, since men are unable to show courage.
Homer personifies effective leadership through the heroic battles and epic heroism in the Iliad. Diomedes’ influence saves Achaean forces against the incompetent Agamemnon’s rule and prolongs Achaean struggles until Achilles’s cooperation. Diomedes is not the Achaean commander, but he is one of their most respected and effective leaders.
Homer’s Iliad reveals that honor is a value of great importance in Greek culture. Homer believes victory and conquest are what men consider honor. Pursuing honor is the most important thing to do. Hector abandoning his family for glory and honour is a stark contrast to Paris’s eroticism and passive attitude to war. Achilles has become immortalized as the hero who sacrificed all comforts to die in battle with honor.
Homer equates battle victory with honor, and contrasts Hector’s battle-hungry ferocity with Paris’s alternatively docile personality. Paris, after being saved from Menelaus’s rage by the goddess Aphrodite and his lover, is chastised for his lackluster behavior. Helen is so upset that she says, “I would like to have married a more courageous man, someone who can withstand the scorn and rage of men”(Il.6.415-416). Helen is not ashamed to use harsh words in order to criticize Paris. She does this because of his cowardice.
Hector, on his other hand, will leave behind Andromache and her newborn baby to pursue the honor. Hector comforts Andromache by explaining that he has no other option than to win his father’s great glory and glory for himself (Il.6.529) if he wishes to maintain his honour. Even in chaos, standing by his family would be considered cowardice. It is not a behavior fit for a person of dignity. Paris and Hector appear in a completely different light. One is as a man that longs for “eros”, for comfort and easy-living. The other is as an honorable and brave prince.
Achilles is the bravest warrior in the poem, who is also the most honorable. He best represents the inherent dependence of honor on glory and victory. Achilles’s role in the poem is that of a god, unconquerable, who has the respect and admiration of everyone. Achilles makes it clear he would rather live a life of eternal honor and revenge than to risk his life by entering the Trojan War. Achilles says to his mother: “For the time being, let’s seize our glory!” (Il.18.144). He is revealing the fact that while Achilles fights in order to avenge Patrocolus’ death, honor and glory are always present and persistent motivators for both Greeks as well as Trojans.
Homer’s Iliad contains many epic battles that show the heroic courage of Greeks. This shows how much honor was dependent on war success. Homer believed that men’s honor was defined by their victories and conquests in battle. This pursuit should take precedence over all other things. In modern society, honor isn’t defined by these brutish traits. In Greek society, honor is defined by virtues more civilized. These virtues would likely be considered un-honorable.
