It is well known that the ancient Greeks and Romans relied on the supernatural for many things; in fact, for them it was simply a way of life. They went to see the Oracles to know their future, performed certain rituals for good luck or otherwise, and above all turned to one of the twelve gods of Olympus, mainly for advice, help or revenge. Where else would someone need more advice, assistance, or vengeance than on the battlefield? In Homer's Iliad this is also evident, especially on the side of the Greeks. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay At the beginning of the story, we see the importance of omens in the eyes of the ancient Greeks. In Book 8, the marriage goddess Hera encourages the Greek king Agamemnon, who rounds up his troops and motivates them to stand their ground. Agamemnon then bows and begs Zeus to save the Achaean army, and Zeus also sends a sign of encouragement to Agamemnon, but in the form of an eagle. This eagle boosts the morale of the Achaean army, which begins to fight valiantly again. However, it is obvious that not everyone believed in the power of omens. Towards the end of book 12, as the greatest Trojan warrior Hector and his young commander Polydamas try to rush the Greek walls, they see the same omen, this time the eagle clutches a bloody serpent in its claws. But the serpent bites the eagle, causing the eagle to relinquish its grip. Remaining calm and wise beyond his years, Polydamas takes this as a sign that the Trojan attack will fail. But Hector, as a determined and courageous warrior, pays absolutely no attention to the warning of his subordinate, loudly proclaiming the words: "Fight for your country, it is the best, the only omen!" He pushes the Trojans forward, and the Achaean wall barely seems to remain intact. Meanwhile, on Mount Olympus, we readers clearly understand the complex plans of Zeus, but the character of the gods is not as obvious to the men on the Trojan battlefield. Soldiers are made, practically doomed to watch for the omens the gods send them, and interpreting what is truly a manifestation of a certain god can be confusing to interpret. The eagle (with the bloody serpent) is an illustration of the vague manner in which the gods send signs of destiny to men. Hector's outright rejection of the omen reveals his character, his bravery, and his unfortunately poor decision-making. In the history of Greek and Roman civilizations, the clearest indication of a god's support came in the form of the royal deity's eagle, which informed the soldiers that Zeus was on their side. When men choose to ignore it, as Hector does in book 12, the consequences can be dramatic. His belief that men must protect their country, no matter what is traditionally accepted, will not save him from submission. In the next book, Hector advances once again against the Trojans, this time with renewed boldness and fully prepared reinforcements at his side. The great Ajax teases Hector, and another eagle flies past the Achaeans, which they welcome as a positive omen. Hector mocks Ajax's "vague words" and tells him that he will perish with the rest of the Greeks. Hector's unwavering will to defeat the Achaeans is a shining example of his strength and determination to protect Troy. However, he cannot control the power of the gods, as Zeus is more than happy to expose. Keep in mind: this is just one..