HOMER΄S ILIAD �RHAPS. Σ: THE SHIELD OF ACHILLES

HEPHAESTUS

• The rhapsody Σ (S) is dedicated to Achilles' new weapons, which were crafted by Hephaestus, after the previous ones were taken by Hector, when he killed Patroclus who wore them.

Hephaestus crafted a large and strong shield for Achilles and decorated it with various images.�

• a) v. 478 - 488: The construction of the shield: in the center, the depiction of the Universe.
• b) v. 489 - 507 : A city in times of peace.
• c) v. 508 - 539 : A city in times of war.
• d) f. 540 - 571: Scenes from agricultural life.
• e) f. 572 - 588: Scenes from the stock-breeding life.
• f) v. 589 - 605: Dance.
• g) f. 606 - 607 : The Ocean.

PICTURE ARRANGEMENT

• In the central and peripheral circles: the universe and the Ocean, the cosmic elements that close and limit human life and action.
• In between, in concentric circles, 9 scenes from social and rural life are depicted: The wedding procession, administration of justice, a state under siege, ploughing, reaping, harvesting, a herd of oxen threatened by lions, a pasture and finally the dance.

DEPICTION OF THE UNIVERSE

A STATE IN TIMES OF PEACE:

A WEDDING

A TRIAL SCENE

A STATE IN TIMES OF WAR

HARVESTING

SCENES OF HUNTING-DANCING

THE OCEAN AT THE PERIMETER

SYMMETRY

• In the center and in the perimeter: The circle opens and closes with the cosmic elements,(Universe-ocean) which determine the life and action of man (world-man)
• The circle opens and closes merrily, that is, with the wedding at the beginning and the dance at the end
• 3 scenes from social life +1,dance
• i.e., marriage, trial,(δίκη) siege,(πολιορκία) dance
• 5 scenes from rural life
• 3 agricultural
• 2 stock-breeding (κτηνοτροφικές)
• 9 scenes of human life

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� SYMBOLISM OF SCENES

• The shield works as a temptation.
• As Achilles marches towards death he will hold in his hands depictions of scenes from life.
• Achilles knows he will die if he kills Hector, according to oracle, but he must kill him to avenge the death of his friend, Patroclus.

THE ROLE OF SHIELD DESCRIPTION

• The war is presented as a sad parenthesis.
• The poet wants to give the listeners familiar glimpses of the peaceful life

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• Τhe shield “shouts”to Achilles: «Life is beautiful. Leave revenge and live!!!»

CULTURAL ELEMENTS

• Developed art of metallurgy

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• Political and social organization

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• Institution of marriage and family
• Wedding customs
• Institution of justice
• Dance
• Music and singing
• Art of war (army, plundering, sieges, councils of war, ambushes, weapons, custom of removing weapons from the body of a dead opponent)

• Αναπτυγμένη η τέχνη της μεταλλουργίας

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• Πολιτική και κοινωνική οργάνωση

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• Θεσμός γάμου και οικογένειας
• Γαμήλια έθιμα
• Θεσμός δικαιοσύνης
• Χορός
• Μουσική και τραγούδι
• Πολεμική τέχνη ( στρατός, λεηλασίες, πολιορκίες, πολεμικά συμβούλια, ενέδρες, όπλα, συνήθεια να αφαιρούν τα όπλα από το σώμα του νεκρού αντιπάλου)

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CULTURAL ELEMENTS

• Rural and pastoral life: art of cultivating land, agricultural tools, making bread from flour, eating meat, viticulture, herds of sheep and oxen, stables for animals and huts for shepherds.

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• Household handicrafts: linen clothes, tunics, weaving, sewing, making musical instruments, pottery, craftsmen of all kinds.

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• Astronomy : they tried to determine the position of the stars.

• Αγροτική και ποιμενική ζωή : τέχνη καλλιέργειας γης, γεωργικά εργαλεία, παρασκευή ψωμιού από αλεύρι , κατανάλωση κρέατος, αμπελουργία, κοπάδια προβάτων και βοδιών, στάνες για τα ζώα και καλύβες για βοσκούς.
• Οικοτεχνία- βιοτεχνία : λινά ρούχα, χιτώνες, υφαντική, ραπτική , κατασκευή μουσικών οργάνων, αγγειοπλαστική , τεχνίτες κάθε είδους.
• Αστρονομία : προσπαθούσαν να προσδιορίσουν τη θέση των άστρων.

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ACTIVITY: Τry to put the shield pieces in the correct circle