The Origin of the Word Hubris Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Origin of the Word Hubris - Essay ExampleAlong with advancements in science, the Greeks make significant advances in philosophy. Beginning with Hesiod, the Greeks stressed the virtue of sophrosyne (moderation, self-control) as the key to happiness and right living. Its resister was Hubris, meaning pride, arrogance and unbridled ambition ().Hubris encompassed many aspects of life in ancient Greece. It was not entirely a philosophical matter solely also a legal and religious matter. Hubris was not unless an act against humans save also an act against the gods, Hubris against the gods is often attri barelyed as a character spot of the heroes in Greek tragedy, and the cause of the nemesis or destruction, which befalls these characters (). Thegods were free to punish that mortal who were guilty of committing hubris but were also free to commit hubris themselves because of the power they possessed over mortals. Athenian dramatists often wrote about this tooth root in their plays, Herodotus attributed the Persian defeat by the Greeks to Xerxes overweening pride, for Zeus tolerates pride in n sensation but himself ().Ancient Greek writings such as The Odyssey also touch on the topic of hubris on a mortal to mortal level rather than an immortal to a mortal level. The most best-selling(predicate) example is that of Penelopes suitors who are made to pay for their crimes against the household of Odysseus from the hands of Odysseus himself rather than one of the gods. In this case, hubris was an act of violence but an act of arrogance. Penelopes suitors believed that Odysseus would not be reversive so they helped themselves to his property and wife. From a modern perspective, this act of hubris does not stem from excessive pride but from practicality. After all, Odysseus was gone for quite some time but according to Homer. this extended absence was not an excuse for arrogance.