Western civilization is built on bravery, courage and honor.
Since early Greek civilization, we have placed extraordinary emphasis and love on these virtues. They bind all men in combat, in contracts and friendships made. When we speak of the strength of men, we speak of fortitude and a steady hand. We speak of temperance and the ability to keep one’s word.
The threat to any civilized society, then, lies in cowardice. It is the exact opposite of surety and courage. In Homer’s Iliad, it represents treachery and weakness. His epic tale is arguably the oldest piece of literature in the western canon written in the 8th century B.C.
The Iliad is our origin story. It is the stuff of the entirety of western civilization. In it are the stories, the tenants, values and laws by which we live. The heroes of the Iliad stand in great contrast to our current political set. To be fair, no one ought to be compared to Herculean qualities of strength. But if the canon of western civilization teaches anything, it is that pride and the abuse of power destroy every good society.
The book portrays the Trojan War lead by king Agamemnon, and has as its hero the great warrior Achilles, son of Peleus and Thetis. When told by the holy priest that Agamemnon must return one of his female slaves in order to prevent a terrible plague from being inflicted on his men, he refuses. Not until the plague takes its harsh toll does Agamemnon relent. He throws a tantrum in anger, and like a child, replaces his lost possession with another — the wife of Achilles.
In a form of public humiliation, he audaciously commands Achilles to relinquish his bride so he can boastfully take her as is own. Agamemnon’s pride and abuse of power reveal to all Greek soldiers and western civilization that solipsism and ego destroy the fabric that binds our society.
The tug-of-war taking place over power and eminence at the Española city council (and all of Rio Arriba for that matter) mimic the battlefield of the Trojan War. For decades we have been plagued by ineptitude, corruption, stagnation and a victim mentality. We have been cursed by leaders who crave power yet eschew accountability. Politicos prefer to curry favor with a dismissed traffic ticket, a forgiven water bill, or a barely legal movida in exchange for a wink and a vote. We trip over our own feet with the hypocritical obsession over procedure while losing sight of the big picture. We prefer to win the short-term battle of getting re-elected while losing the long term war of growth and prosperity.
The fortitude demanded of success and the ability to build something worthwhile requires strength and competence. You can’t just desire your way to a better city or cry with bleeding hearts to manifest a more perfect Española. Success will be determined on the battlefield of hard choices and above all, success will demand unwavering action. Cowardice as untrustworthy and duplicitous: “The skin of the coward changes color all the time, he can’t get a grip on himself, he can’t sit still, he squats and rocks, shifting his weight from foot to foot, his heart racing, pounding inside the fellow’s ribs, his teeth chattering …” (13:228-233 Fagles translation).
These are the characteristics of those most treacherous to our city. Those who shift alliances under the cover of night because they feel the tides are turning. All the while failing to accomplish anything. We must seek the builders, the fighters who go to battle with the bravery to make a difference. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, as they say. It is the ability to act despite it. “The worst cowards, banded together, have their Power but you and I have got the skill to fight their best!” (13:281-283)
Men of the Iliad speak of glory. In the hope their actions lead to victory, they fight so their bravery remains in the hearts of Greeks for eternity. May we find those truly willing to act despite the consequences and not do what’s popular for the sake of re-election. The Iliad is the epic tale of the Trojan War. It sparked western civilization as we know it.
Harness the virtue of bravery, courage and honor from 3,000 years ago to strengthen our valley, our hopes and our dreams today.
Javier Sanchez is an El Rito Media investor and former Española mayor.