“Man is the measure of all things.” -- Protagoras

Any system of thought or action which is concerned with merely human interests (as distinguished from divine), or with those of the human race in general (as distinguished from individual).

-- OED

Gods• Scary monsters

The Natural World Demigods Mortals

• Heroes

You

Sovereign among the gods Moral arbiter Dispenses good and evil

Not without limits: Parcae, or Fates

“Man is the measure of all things.” -- Protagoras

“Count no man happy until he is dead.” – Solon, in Herodotus

“I would rather be a slave to the poorest man alive than to be ruler of all the dead.” -- Achilles, in the Odyssey

“I would rather rule in Hell than serve God in Heaven.” -- Lucifer, in Dante’s Divine Comedy

Solon speaking to Croesus Cliobis and Biton

Croesus speaking to Cyrus• Two endings to this story

• Achilles and Priam in Iliad 24

Can destiny be avoided? Forestalled?

“It is entirely seemly for a young man killed in battle to lie mangled by the bronze spear. In his death all things appear fair. But when dogs shame the gray head, gray chin and nakedness of an old man killed, it is the most piteous thing that happens among wretched mortals. “ Iliad

“On the country of the Nasamonians borders that of the Psylli, who were swept away under the following circumstances. The south-wind had blown for a long time and dried up all the water cisterns. Now the whole region within the Syrtis [i.e. Libya] is utterly devoid of springs. Accordingly the Psylli took counsel among themselves, and by common consent made war upon the SouthWind - so at least the Libyans say, I do but repeat their words- they took up arms and armor, went forth and reached the desert; but there the south-wind rose and buried them under heaps of sand: whereupon, the Psylli being destroyed, their lands passed to the Nasamonians.” Book 7

Sarpedon now took a second aim at Patroclus, and again missed him, the point of the spear passed over his left shoulder without hitting him. Patroclus then aimed in his turn, and the spear sped not from his hand in vain, for he hit Sarpedon just where the midriff surrounds the ever-beating heart. He fell like some oak or silver poplar or tall pine to which woodmen have laid their axes upon the mountains to make timber for ship-building--even so did he lie stretched at full length in front of his chariot and horses, moaning and clutching at the blood-stained dust. As when a lion springs with a bound upon a herd of cattle and fastens on a great black bull which dies bellowing in its clutches--even so did the leader of the Lycian warriors struggle in death as he fell by the hand of Patroclus. He called on his trusty comrade and said, "Glaucus, my brother, hero among heroes, put forth all your strength, fight with might and main, now if ever quit yourself like a valiant soldier. First go about among the Lycian captains and bid them fight for Sarpedon; then yourself also do battle to save my armour from being taken. My name will haunt you henceforth and for ever if the Achaeans rob me of my armour now that I have fallen at their ships. Do your very utmost and call all my people together." Death closed his eyes as he spoke. Patroclus planted his heel on his breast and drew the spear from his body, whereon his senses came out along with it, and he drew out both spear-point and Sarpedon's soul at the same time. Hard by the Myrmidons held his snorting steeds, who were wild with panic at finding themselves deserted by their lords.

No single book of wisdom and theology

Ancients hold wisdom: Herodotus, Homer• Zeus dispenses good and evil• Fates [Parcae] weave the fabric of one’s life

• Hubris • Nemesis• Ate

Is ate the cause or the effect?

Are there values that compete with wisdom, morality, truthfulness?

Socrates: wisdom lies within each person

Sophistry: The use or practice of specious reasoning as an art or dialectic exercise.

Truth: what shows it to you?

Chicken or Egg?

Is man simply shoved into these forms, or do perfect absolutes – circle, square – stem from Man himself?

Is it not the circle, but Man who is perfection?