It is commonly known that the ancient Greeks and Romans relied on the supernatural for many things; in fact, it was really just a way of life for them. They went to the Oracles to know their future, performed some rituals for luck or otherwise, and most importantly, turned to one of the twelve Olympian gods, mostly for guidance, assistance, or revenge. Where else would anyone need more guidance, assistance, or vengeance than on the battlefield? This is also evident in Homer's Iliad, especially on the part of the Greeks. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay At the beginning of the story we see the meaning of omens in the eyes of the ancient Greeks. In Book 8, the marriage goddess Hera encourages the Greek king Agamemnon, who rallies his troops and motivates them to resist. 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 raises the morale of the Achaean army, which begins to fight valiantly again. However, it is evident 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 storm the Greek ramparts, they see the same omen, this time the eagle clutching a bloody serpent in its talons. But the serpent bites the eagle, forcing it to give up its hold. Remaining calm and wise beyond his years, Polydamas takes this as a sign that the Trojan's attack will fail. But Hector, being the determined and courageous warrior that he is, pays absolutely no attention to his subordinate's warning, loudly proclaiming the words: "Fight for your country: this is the best, the only omen!" He pushes the Trojans forward and the Achaean walls seem unlikely to remain intact. Meanwhile on Olympus it is clear to us readers what Zeus's complex plans are, but the character of the gods is not so evident to the men on the Trojan battlefield. Soldiers are practically doomed to pay attention to the omens the gods send them, and interpreting what is truly a manifestation of a certain god can be confusing. The eagle (along with the bloody serpent) is an illustration of the vague way in which the gods send signs of destiny to men. Hector's outright rejection of the omen reveals his character, his courage, and his unfortunately poor decision-making. In the history of Greek and Roman civilizations, the clearest indication of any god's support materializes in the form of the eagle deity king, who informs the soldiers that Zeus is on their side. When men choose to ignore it, as Hector does in book 12, the consequences can be drastic. His belief that men must protect their country regardless of what is traditionally accepted, but it will not save him from being subjugated. In the next book, Hector once again advances against the Trojans, this time with renewed boldness alongside fully prepared reinforcements at his side. Great Ajax mocks Hector, and another eagle swoops past the Achaeans, who they welcome as a positive omen. Hector scoffs at Ajax's "loose talk" and declares to him that he will die 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 show it off. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Finally, in book 24, Zeus sends.