Power and Power Structures

(A) Power, power structures, and the role of a King in ancient Greece?

Power and honor are two of the most important things for people living in ancient Greece. This statement is witnessed by the actions of Achilles in The Essential Homer Book 19. Achilles has two choices to make. He can either leave the war and live a long life without honor or he can go to battle and die. In the words of Achilles, “I don’t need you to prophesy my death Xanthus. I know in my bones I will die here… still, I won’t stop” (195). Achilles was willing to go to war, knowing he will surely die, just for the sake of having honor. Honor and power were more important than life. This high praise of power and honor is seen throughout ancient Greece in the examples of Agamemnon, Ajax, Odysseus, Oedipus, and so many others, all of which were willing to die for honor and power. Some were seen as Saviors to the people while others were selfish and only caring about themselves. Agamemnon may be one of the best examples of power and the power structure in ancient Greece.

Ancient Greece was a monarchy society, meaning they had one supreme ruler. This ruler is known as a basileus. The Oxford Classical Dictionary describes the basileus as an, “office-holding nobility.” This person is the king and leader of the people who is in charge and makes the decisions. Every basileus has a council known as a boule which is, “a meeting of nobles called to advise the king” (Oxford Classical Dictionary). This council was there to help the king in making wise choices for the kingdom. This system worked well for many civilizations and the boule was key to helping the king make wise decisions. Unfortunately, not all basileus listened to their boule. Agamemnon did not listen to his boule about giving back Chyseis to her pleading father. He cared more about retaining his honor and glory than he did about the lives of many other people, which caused many people to lose their life. And then, when forced to give her up, he took Briseis from Achilles, robbing him of some honor, and ultimately robbing Greeks of their lives. This can be seen in The Essential Homer Book 1 when Thetis says, “ once they start being killed, the Greeks may appreciate Agamemnon for what he is… a fool he’s been because he did not honor the best of all the fighting Achaeans.” This selfish choice shows the character and true cares of a self-centered king and the destruction that follows. 

As seen from these example, power and honor were some of the most important things to a person in ancient Greece. When the basileus cared more about themselves, many deaths and destruction followed. When they cared more about retaining power and honor and material things, death and destruction followed. Many kings still cared about their people and would think of them in their decisions, but to some, the number one person the king thought about was themselves. But when the king puts the people first, life and prosperity are the result. This can be seen in the power structure and acts of a righteous king in the ancient Americas. 

(B) Power, power structures, and the role of a King in ancient America?

Power and honor are perhaps the two least important things for the righteous people living in ancient America. Their power structure and role of a king was different compared to that of ancient Greece. The structure of the ancient American system gives all the power to the people. One of the best examples can be found in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In the book of Mosiah, we learn of the rule of King Mosiah. King Mosiah thought of his people as “brethren” (chapter 29). He was a righteous king who labored with his own hands among the people. He was fair, just, and upright in all things before God. Before the death of King Mosiah, he explained the challenges of having one man to rule the people. He explained the challenges of a righteous king and the consequences of a wicked king. He gave them examples of the death and destruction that wicked kings bring among the people, such as with king Noah. Mosiah recalled, “yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage” (Mosiah 29:18). One man, one king, can bring so much death and destruction among the people. King Mosiah then proposed a new type of government. This government would be ruled by the people in which everyone had a fair say and a fair chance. He proposed a checks and balances system where they have higher and lower judges to judge and carry out the law. These higher and lower judges also keep the other judges in check (Chapter 29). This system allowed for the all people of the kingdom to make decisions instead of just one man. That way the people are responsible for the outcome of the decisions. King Mosiah than explained, “it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people” (Chapter 29). King Mosiah ended the rule of a single man and put the power of kingdom upon the people. This system worked remarkably well when the people were righteous and united in making decisions that were best for the welfare of the kingdom. 

(C) Why do societies, even democratic societies, feel a need to have a strong leader?

A strong leader is an advantage for the group the leader is in charge of and people want to follow them. A strong leader is a symbol, a person that they people can look upon for guidance and strength. As King Mosiah said, “if it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, who would establish the laws  of God, and judge this people according to the commandments… it would be expedient that ye always have kings to rule over you” (Chapter 29).  Strong leaders are able to help the kingdom to prosper. The people are always on their minds and their judgments are fair and just. The government and affairs of the kingdom are able to move more efficiently and effectively because the leader has no other desire the the welfare of his people. People want to follow strong leaders like that and will work to support those leader’s decisions. We learn of a strong leader in the book Oedipus Rex. Oedipus is the king of Thebes and is generally well liked. He is a man of the people and greatly cared about them. When the land is in trouble, he sends Creon to find the cause so he can stop the problem. When he learns that he is the problem, Oedipus willingly leaves all behind so the land can prosper again (Oedipus Rex). Oedipus, King Mosiah, and other strong leaders put the cares of their people before their own. They are fair and just and get things done. Strong leaders bring prosperity and happiness to those that they lead. Societies need strong leaders to represent the people and to make the choices that will allow the kingdom to prosper and grow.

  

Works Cited

Homer, and Stanley Lombardo. The Essential Homer: Selections from the Iliad and Odyssey. Hackett Pub., 2000.

The Oxford Classical Dictionary. [New York]: Oxford University Press, 2003.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1981.

Sophocles, and R. D. Dawe. Oedipus Rex. Cambridge University Press, 2006.