The Iliad as Politics: The Performance of Political Thought

In "The Iliad as Politics," Dean Hammer explores how Homer's epic poem reflects an ancient Greek discussion on political ethics, redefining political thought as the activity of addressing issues of collective identity and organization. He shows how the characters in the Iliad embody community concerns about authority, conflict, judgment, and the relationship between personal and collective identity, modeling the principles and controversies of Greek political ethics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 11 October 2022
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

Wily Odysseus. Bold Achilles. Brave Hektor. Beautiful Helen of Troy. For centuries, people around the world have been fascinated by these figures and their tragic war, as recounted in Homer's Iliad, long admired and studied as one of the foremost epic poems of the ancient world. In The Iliad as Politics, Dean Hammer revisits this epic with a new perspective. In this first full-length treatment of the Iliad as a work of political thought, Hammer demonstrates how Homer's epic is also an ancient Greek discussion on political ethics. Hammer redefines political thought as the activity of addressing issues of collective identity and organization. Using this understanding of politics, he discusses how the characters in the Iliad, through their larger-than-life actions and interactions, embody community issues of authority, authority, conflict, judgment, and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity. The characters' many quarrels, laments, reconciliations, and vows of loyalty and friendship all critically model the principles and controversies of underlying Greek political ethics of communal responsibility and relationship.

Much of modern Western political thought focuses on classical Greek discussions of political philosophy. Hammer demonstrates that the Iliad constitutes another such ancient Greek political discussion.

The Iliad is a timeless masterpiece that has captivated audiences for centuries, and Hammer's book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on this ancient text. By examining the Iliad as a work of political thought, Hammer reveals how Homer's epic is not only a thrilling tale of war and heroism but also a profound exploration of political ethics and collective identity. Through his detailed analysis of the characters and their interactions, Hammer demonstrates how the Iliad models the principles and controversies of underlying Greek political ethics, such as communal responsibility and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity.

One of the most striking aspects of Hammer's book is his redefinition of political thought as the activity of addressing issues of collective identity and organization. He argues that political thought is not just about the study of government and policy but also about the broader questions of how individuals and communities come together to form a sense of shared identity and purpose. In the Iliad, Hammer sees the characters as embodying these collective issues, as they struggle with questions of authority.

Authority, conflict, judgment, and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity. Through their actions and interactions, the characters model the principles and controversies of underlying Greek political ethics, such as communal responsibility and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity.

One of the most interesting aspects of Hammer's book is his discussion of the role of women in the Iliad. He argues that the women in the epic are not just passive figures but active agents who play critical roles in shaping the course of the war. For example, Helen of Troy is not just a beautiful woman who causes conflict but also a powerful figure who plays a critical role in determining the course of the war. Hammer demonstrates how the women in the Iliad embody the principles of communal responsibility and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity, as they struggle with questions of loyalty and friendship and the broader issues of authority and conflict.

Another important theme in Hammer's book is the role of sacrifice in the Iliad. He argues that the war is not just about the glory and honor of the individual but also about the collective good of the community. The characters in the Iliad are willing to sacrifice their lives for the greater good of the community, and this sacrifice is seen as a symbol of communal responsibility and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity.

In conclusion, The Iliad as Politics is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on one of the most important works of ancient literature. By examining the Iliad as a work of political thought, Hammer demonstrates how Homer's epic is not only a thrilling tale of war and heroism but also a profound exploration of political ethics and collective identity. Through his detailed analysis of the characters and their interactions, Hammer reveals how the Iliad models the principles and controversies of underlying Greek political ethics, such as communal responsibility and the interrelationship between personal and collective identity. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient literature, political philosophy, or the broader questions of how individuals and communities come together to form a sense of shared identity and purpose.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806190990