Nick Coburn Period 1 Husbands in Ancient Greece (Prompt B) Many stories and epics have been passed down

from our elders who came from ancient times. One famous story that is still around today is the epic known as the Iliad. The Iliad has many symbolic lines and a thrilling plot but it also gives readers a sense of what life was like in ancient times of Greece. Not only did it tell of the great hero Achilles, but also of the modest hero Hector, and how he and other husbands were important figures in ancient Greek families. The main character, Hector, and his wife (a minor character), Andromache, were royalty in the kingdom of Troy as they were Prince and Princess; but not only was Hector the son of a king; he was also one of Troys greatest warriors. During a war with the Acheans, the Achean army was able to push the Trojans and Hector back into their kingdom for a short period of time. At this time, Hector finds his wife to tell her of his well-being, and that he will have to go back into the battle. When Andromache hears that he will be going fight again, she is very distressed in the fact that he could very well die. Pity me, please! Take your stand on the rampart here, before you orphan your son and make your wife a widow. (Lines 73-74, book 6). She begs Hector that he stay showing his importance to the family and how it could all fall apart if he dies and that there would be no man to protect the family. Hector also knows the consequences of him going back to war and would rather be dead then to see it happen. When some brazen Argive hales you off in tears, wrenching away your day of light and freedom! Then far off in the land of Argos you must live, laboring at a loom, of another womans beck and call (Lines 102-105, book 6). Even though Hector knows and fears the consequences of what will happen once he leaves, he reminds his wife of the grim future that could come, and he would hope that he isnt around to witness it. Hector also tells his wife that his fate has already been created and sealed by the gods and nothing can be changed, plus, if he didnt go to battle he would be questioned of his manhood and considered a coward anyways. If I would shrink from battle now, a coward. (Line 87, book 6). No man will hurl me down to death against my fate. And fate? No one has ever escaped it. (Lines 143-144, book 6). In the end, the role of being a husband in the family is the most vital position in Ancient Greek History. Hector and Andromache both know the consequences of his death and realize that the family is doomed if he doesnt return. With all of these ideas in mind, Hector returns to battle anyways showing how important it is to also support ones citys army in Ancient Greece, and if you die or live, it is because that is how the Gods molded your fate. All in all, the ancient story of the Iliad tells an exciting story but also tells of the culture in ancient times, and how ones actions can affect a family, or a whole city.