Is History Created by 'the People' or by Individuals?

History is very selective in who it remembers and what names are passed down through the ages. In Ancient Greece, history was created by many people and individuals. Alexander is one of the most well known leaders in ancient Greece. Also Greek mythology creates historic leaders like Agamemnon. In this essay I will discuss who creates history from real leaders to mythic figures. Also I will discuss the importance of Alexander and Agamemnon to Greek history.

The history of Greece is divided into different periods. The Archaic period lasted from about 750 B.C. to 500 B.C. This period is characterized by the creation of large free standing sculptures. These were created by the artists and put in hieratic poses. This period ended with the fall of the last tyrant that lead Athens. After the Archaic period was the Classical period. It lasted from about 500 B.C. to 323 B.C. This period is characterized by its classical style of architecture. During this period power shifted from Athens and the Delian League to Spartan hegemony and then to Thebes and the Boeotian League and then finally the League of Corinth took control. After the classical period was the Hellenistic period. It lasted from about 323 B.C. to 146 B.C. This period is characterized by Greek power spreading to the Middle East. After the Hellenistic period was Roman Greece. It lasted from about 146 B.C. to 330 A.D. It is characterized by Greece being conquered by the Roman Empire. The final period is the time of Christianization. It lasted from later 4th to early 6th centuries. All these periods make up the historical age known as the Classical Antiquity of Greece (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece).

A very important historical figure for the Greeks was named Alexander III of Macedon. He was also called Alexander the Great. Alexander lived from 356 B.C. to 323 B.C. and his death marks the beginning of the Hellenistic period in ancient Greece (see picture #1 on the left from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aleksander-d-store.jpg). He is remembered for the creation of one of the largest empires ever in the ancient world. Alexander was given a classical Greek education from the famous philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle was an important founder of Western philosophy. Alexander only lived to be 32 years of age but his impact was felt for centuries after his death. Alexander became so well known and famous in antiquity because of his many conquests and his skilled military tactical abilities. He is also remembered for spreading Greek culture and civilization to the East. Alexander’s father, Philip, had control over many of the Greek city states. All this land and power was left to Alexander after his father’s death in 336 B.C. Alexander lead a large scale campaign so that he could expand the empire left by his father. He is remembered for his many battles and victories over the Persian army. He later overthrew the king of Persia and conquered the whole Persian Empire. Alexander is remembered not only for his military cunning but for this vast empire that expanded far past Greece (http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html).

Agamemnon is another important figure in Greek culture. Agamemnon is the mythical commander of the Achaeans (see picture #2 on the left from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masque-agamemnon.jpg). Agamemnon is the brother of Menelaus. Agamemnon finds out that Menelaus’ wife, Helen, was taken by Paris of Troy. This begins the Trojan War. Agamemnon survives the war but is later murdered upon his return home. Agamemnon gathered the Greek soldiers to sail to Troy after Helen is taken. During the fighting, Agamemnon took a slave as a spoil of war. He took the slave from the great fighter Achilles. Achilles then pulled out of the fighting and the war was almost lost. Agamemnon was taken off course by a storm or other occurrence and during the delay his wife found a lover. This story is a loved Greek tragedy and the basis of Homer's famous work; Odyssey. Agamemnon is remembered for his attack on Troy and his unfortunate death (http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/agamemnon.html).

Greek mythology also creates history for the Greeks. Greek mythology includes heroes, Gods, and explanations for natural events. The Greeks used mythology to explain the world around them and create adventures with Gods and Goddesses that would become well known around the world. The myths were almost real for the Greeks because they showed them how to answer important questions about the natural world. Some of the most important stories are from the poems like Iliad and Odyssey. These epic poems are mainly about the Trojan War and the heroes in it like Agamemnon and Achilles. The Greek mythology has influenced the culture, the arts, and the literature of the West. The myths that try to explain the origins of the world are known as creation myths. An important hero that made history was the mythic Hercules. He might have been based on a real man. He is the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Hercules was often depicted with a bow or a club. He is remembered for his cunning and great feats of strength. He is also depicted in many pieces of artwork. The myths were very important to the Greeks and gave them people to look up to and explanations for events in the world (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology).

In Greek mythology and in real life, Greece had many individuals that were looked up too. From Alexander the Great's feats of military cunning and his vast empire that expanded far past Greece to mythical characters like Agamemnon who went to rescue his brother’s wife from Troy. It is the individuals that are remembered and who truly make history. Without the help of the people around them, these individuals couldn’t have accomplished what they did. Even though the people in an army, war, or empire aren’t the ones credited with making history, it is impossible for the individual in question to do it without them. Alexander’s men aren’t the ones who are credited with expanding the empire, it is Alexander. Also Agamemnon’s troops aren’t the ones credited with taking down Troy, it is Agamemnon himself who is credited with making history.

Sources


Agamemnon. Web. 12 Feb. 2010. http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/agamemnon.html.

Alexander the Great Alexander of Macedon Biography. Web. 12 Feb. 2010. http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/AlexandertheGreat.html.

Ancient Greece. Web. 12 Feb. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece.

Greek mythology. Web. 12 Feb. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology.

Picture sources


Aleksander-d-store.jpg. Web. 12 Feb. 2010. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aleksander-d-store.jpg.

Masque-agamemnon.jpg. Web. 12 Feb. 2010. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masque-agamemnon.jpg.