While Odysseus and Achilles fought for the same side, they embody two fundamentally different approaches to heroism. Achilles represents brute strength and glory on the battlefield.
In contrast, Odysseus is a cunning strategist who uses his wit to overcome challenges. Who did the ancient Greeks prefer?
Heroic attributes: guile vs. glory
Achilles is the kind of hero who charges into battle, sword in hand, ready to face any foe. His entire existence revolves around kleos, the Greek concept of glory that ensures his name will live on forever. He is nearly invincible, and his physical prowess is unmatched.
In Homer’s Iliad, Achilles is described as “the greatest warrior of the Greeks,” a title he earns through sheer force and bravery. His mother, Thetis, tells him that he faces two fates: a short, glorious life or a long, obscure one.
Achilles chooses glory, driven by the desire for everlasting fame. In Iliad 9.410-416, Achilles himself says, “If I stay here and fight, I shall not return alive, but my name will live forever.”
On the other hand, Odysseus is not your typical warrior. Known as the “man of many wiles,” he is not just strong; he is also intelligent. His heroism is all about out-thinking his enemies rather than overpowering them.
Whether it is devising the plan for the Trojan Horse or navigating the treacherous waters home in the Odyssey, Odysseus relies on his mind to win the day. For him, survival and success are more important than glory.
In the Odyssey 9.415-416, he famously tricks the Cyclops Polyphemus by telling him his name is “Nobody,” showing how he uses cleverness to escape seemingly challenging situations.
Character traits: Pride vs. patience
Achilles is not just strong; he’s also fiercely proud. His pride is both his greatest strength and his biggest flaw. In the Iliad, his anger at Agamemnon for taking his prize, Briseis, leads him to withdraw from battle.
This decision almost costs the Greeks the war, but Achilles is too consumed by his sense of honor to care. His pride makes him quick-tempered and independent, traits that drive much of the conflict in the story.
In Iliad 1.1-5, Homer opens the epic by calling upon the Muse to sing of “the wrath of Achilles,” highlighting how this emotion dominates his character and actions.
In contrast, Odysseus is the epitome of patience. He is a diplomat who is always thinking a few steps ahead. Instead of seeking personal glory, he is focused on getting his men home safely and returning to his family.
His greatest assets are his adaptability and endurance. Even when faced with overwhelming odds, Odysseus keeps his cool and finds a way out, often through clever tricks or persuasive words.
In the Odyssey 5.221-224, Homer describes how Odysseus, alone and adrift at sea, keeps his spirits up by remembering his goal of returning to Ithaca, an enduring theme in ancient Greece.
Role in the Trojan War: strength vs. strategy
Achilles’ role in the Trojan War is straightforward. He is the Greeks’ greatest weapon. His withdrawal from the battle after his dispute with Agamemnon is catastrophic for the Greeks.
However, when he finally returns, his mere presence turns the tide of the war. Achilles is the warrior who can single-handedly change the outcome of a battle, and that’s exactly what he does when he kills Hector, the Trojan’s greatest hero.
In Iliad 22.321-325, Achilles mercilessly chases Hector down, determined to avenge Patroclus, ultimately bringing Troy’s grandest defender to his knees.
Odysseus, however, plays a different role in the war. He is not the mightiest warrior but the one who comes up with the plan that ends the war. The idea of the Trojan Horse, a giant wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers, is his brainchild.
It is this clever strategy rather than a direct confrontation that leads to the fall of Troy.
Odysseus’ contribution is proof that brains can be just as effective as brawn.
In the Odyssey 8.492-495, the bard Demodocus recounts the tale of the Trojan Horse, praising Odysseus for his cunning plan that finally brought the Greeks victory.
The fates of Achilles and Odysseus
Achilles’ fate is sealed from the beginning. He knows he will die young, but he also knows his name will live on forever. This choice between a short, glorious life and a long, uneventful one is at the heart of his story.
Achilles chooses glory, and his name is immortalized in the Iliad and beyond. His legacy is that of a hero who achieved everlasting fame through his actions on the battlefield.
In the Odyssey 11.488-491, when Odysseus encounters Achilles’ shade in the underworld, Achilles laments his choice, saying he would rather be a servant on earth than a king among the dead, a poignant reminder of the cost of glory.
Odysseus, on the other hand, is more concerned with the journey than the destination. His fate is not to die young but to struggle for years to return home.
The Odyssey is a tale of endurance and resilience. Odysseus’s legacy is tied to his ability to survive and restore order in his household.
Unlike Achilles, whose story ends with his death, Odysseus’ legacy is about survival and the restoration of his kingdom.
His long journey home, filled with trials and tribulations, showcases his enduring spirit and determination to overcome whatever stands in his way.
Did ancient Greece prefer Achilles or Odysseus?
In ancient Greece, Achilles was the hero everyone admired. His physical prowess and relentless pursuit of glory made him the ideal warrior. Cities like Sparta revered Achilles for his martial excellence, which aligned with their values of military might.
The Iliad was a staple in Greek education, and Achilles’ heroism was something every young Greek boy was taught to emulate. His valor and tragic death became the gold standard for heroism in a society that prized martial prowess.
One of the swift-footed hero’s biggest fans was Alexander the Great, who claimed direct descendence from him. However, Odysseus wasn’t as lucky.
There is no prominent historical record of significant ancient Greek figures claiming Odysseus as a direct ancestor.
While Odysseus was highly respected and influential, particularly in regions like Ithaca, the absence of such claims could be attributed to the different kinds of heroism he embodied and the regional focus of his mythological legacy.
Odysseus, while respected, was viewed differently. In Athens, a city that valued intelligence and strategy, Odysseus was admired for his cunning and adaptability. The Odyssey was cherished not just for its adventure but for its portrayal of human resilience.
However, Odysseus’s reliance on deception made his heroism more complex and, at times, controversial. Some city-states preferred Achilles’ straightforward heroism, while others appreciated Odysseus’s more nuanced, cerebral qualities.
This divergence in reception reflects the broader cultural values at play in different parts of the Greek world.
The two faces of Greek heroism
Achilles and Odysseus represent two sides of the same heroic shield. Achilles embodies physical strength and the pursuit of glory, while Odysseus symbolizes cunning and endurance.
These contrasting figures offer a glimpse into the diverse ideals of heroism that shaped ancient Greek culture. Achilles’ name might have been on every warrior’s lips in ancient Greece. However, Odysseus’s legacy as the clever survivor left an equally lasting mark on history, one that resonates more with later centuries.
