The Funeral Games of Patroklos in Homers Iliad and...

The Funeral Games of Patroklos in Homers Iliad and Odyssey Coming towards the end of a war which has consumed an entire decade and laid waste the lives of many, the Greek warriors in Troy choose to take the time and energy to hold funeral games. This sequence of events leaves the reader feeling confused because its not something one would expect and seems highly out of place. Throughout the epic Homer tries to describe what it is to be mortal and often contrasts it with what it means to be immortal. Homer uses the funeral games of Patroklos to show crucial differences about the lives of mortals and the lives of gods. These games come towards the end of a war that has cost thousands of men their†¦show more content†¦In the chariot race first place received a woman and a large tripod, second place a mare, third place a cauldron, fourth place two talents of gold, and for fifth place a jar. This award for losing is never seen in wars. After Troy is destroyed there is no prize given to the survivors. While there are prizes for all competitors, like the gods the men are not always happy and often argue. After coming in second in the chariot race Antilochos is upset over what prize he will receive. Achilles, I shall be very angry with you if you accomplish what you have said. You mean to take my prize away from me. (544-545. Book 23. Homer, Iliad) This is quite ironic since the opening conflict was over Agamemnon taking a prize from Achilles. Later Antilochos receives his second prize and Achilles gives to the son of Admetos another corselet, but the petty arguing over priz es doesnt end. Menelaos accuses Antilochos of getting in the way of his horses during the race and demands that the prize of the mare be given to him. Once the horse reaches Menelaos he decides to forgive Antilochos and gives the horse back to him. In the end everyone makes up and everything is okay. This doesnt happen in the real world that these men live in, only in the realm of the gods. In this instance there is no clear concept of loss since everyone wins. The tenet that men center their lives around, of honor and glory under the constant risk of death