Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- OLYMPUS: OR THE RELIGION OF THE HOMERIC AGE
- SECT. I On the mixed character of the Supernatural System, or Theo-mythology of Homer
- SECT. II The traditive element of the Homeric Theo-mythology
- SECT. III The inventive element of the Homeric Theo-mythology
- SECT. IV The Composition of the Olympian Court; and the classification of the whole supernatural order in Homer
- SECT. V The Olympian Community and its Members considered in themselves
- SECT. VI The Olympian Community and its Members considered in their influence on human society and conduct
- SECT. VII On the traces of an origin abroad for the Olympian Religion
- SECT. VIII The Morals of the Homeric Age
- SECT. IX Woman in the heroic age
SECT. VIII - The Morals of the Homeric Age
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- OLYMPUS: OR THE RELIGION OF THE HOMERIC AGE
- SECT. I On the mixed character of the Supernatural System, or Theo-mythology of Homer
- SECT. II The traditive element of the Homeric Theo-mythology
- SECT. III The inventive element of the Homeric Theo-mythology
- SECT. IV The Composition of the Olympian Court; and the classification of the whole supernatural order in Homer
- SECT. V The Olympian Community and its Members considered in themselves
- SECT. VI The Olympian Community and its Members considered in their influence on human society and conduct
- SECT. VII On the traces of an origin abroad for the Olympian Religion
- SECT. VIII The Morals of the Homeric Age
- SECT. IX Woman in the heroic age
Summary
We have now considered at some length the state and tendencies of religion, both objective and subjective, among the Greeks of the heroic age: let us proceed to attempt a sketch of their morality; which rested in part upon acknowledged relations to the Olympian deities, but which, it is clear, had likewise other supports and sanctions.
In general outline it may be thus summed up. An high spirited, energetic, adventurous, and daring people, they show themselves prone to acts of hasty violence, and their splendid courage occasionally even degenerates, under the influence of strong passion, into ferocity, while their acuteness and sagacity sometimes, though more rarely, take a decided tinge of cunning. Yet they are neither selfish, cruel, nor implacable. At the same time, self-command is scarcely less conspicuous among them than strong, and deep, and quick emotion. They are in the main a people of warm affections and high honour, commonly tender, never morbid: they respect the weak and the helpless; they hold authority in reverence; domestic purity too is cherished and esteemed among them more than elsewhere, and they have not yet fallen into the depths of sensual excess.
The Greek thanks the gods in his prosperity; witness Laertes. In his adversity he appeals to them for aid; or, if he is discontented, he complains of them; for he harbours no concealed dissatisfaction. Ready enough to take from those who have, he is at least as ready to give to those who need.
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- Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age , pp. 417 - 478Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010