The duty to the gods can be at odds with the obligation to the city-state as evidenced by Hector being convinced by Athena to battle Achilles in book XXII. Athena said to Hector “Why don’t we stay here and give him a fight?” (305, The Iliad Book XXII) Before speaking with Hector, Athena spoke to Achilles. Athena gave Achilles the advice “There’s nothing but glory on the beachhead for us now, my splendid Achilles, once we take Hector out of action, and there’s no way he can escape us now, … You stay here and catch your breath while I go to persuade the man to put up a fight” (305, The Iliad Book XXII). Athena directly intervened in the war by speaking to both of the men on the ground. Out of a sense of duty to the gods both men followed her suggestions and fought each other. Achilles knew he would defeat Hector, he was just waiting for a chance to fight him. Hector listening to Athena’s advice and feeling obligated to follow her advice was at odds with his obligation to his city-state. Hector was originally strongly motivated to fight in the war because of his obligation to his family and city-state. Hector knew that Achilles was the more powerful warrior and even contemplated bargaining for his funeral rights. Hector’s sense of honor wouldn’t allow him to retreat into Troy, but his fear of Achilles had him running around the outskirts of the city to avoid the battle. When Hector has to factor in the duty to the gods, he is trying to comply with obligations that are at odds. Hector fighting Achilles was detrimental to the greeks. The Prince of Troy shouldn’t be fighting in a battle he knows that he will lose, he is too important to the future of Troy. Hector knew that, but he values his duty to the gods over his duty to the city-state and his family. He also
The duty to the gods can be at odds with the obligation to the city-state as evidenced by Hector being convinced by Athena to battle Achilles in book XXII. Athena said to Hector “Why don’t we stay here and give him a fight?” (305, The Iliad Book XXII) Before speaking with Hector, Athena spoke to Achilles. Athena gave Achilles the advice “There’s nothing but glory on the beachhead for us now, my splendid Achilles, once we take Hector out of action, and there’s no way he can escape us now, … You stay here and catch your breath while I go to persuade the man to put up a fight” (305, The Iliad Book XXII). Athena directly intervened in the war by speaking to both of the men on the ground. Out of a sense of duty to the gods both men followed her suggestions and fought each other. Achilles knew he would defeat Hector, he was just waiting for a chance to fight him. Hector listening to Athena’s advice and feeling obligated to follow her advice was at odds with his obligation to his city-state. Hector was originally strongly motivated to fight in the war because of his obligation to his family and city-state. Hector knew that Achilles was the more powerful warrior and even contemplated bargaining for his funeral rights. Hector’s sense of honor wouldn’t allow him to retreat into Troy, but his fear of Achilles had him running around the outskirts of the city to avoid the battle. When Hector has to factor in the duty to the gods, he is trying to comply with obligations that are at odds. Hector fighting Achilles was detrimental to the greeks. The Prince of Troy shouldn’t be fighting in a battle he knows that he will lose, he is too important to the future of Troy. Hector knew that, but he values his duty to the gods over his duty to the city-state and his family. He also