Destiny, a force that controls every man and no one can escape from it. Nothing can change it no matter what a person does. From what I have read in the books 12 to 17 of the Iliad, I can conclude that the Greeks and the Trojans are controlled by their destinies. Their strength, skill and willpower means nothing if they are destined to die early. And even though a Greek or a Trojan is weak in battle, it will also mean nothing if he is destined to return from the battle alive. But who controls the destinies of the Greeks and the Trojans? The answer is the Olympian Gods especially Zeus Almighty. These Gods determine the destinies of every mortal being on Earth. Even though a person is very skilled in battle or he is a very important person, he will live or die depending on the will of the Gods. In the Iliad, even though Diomedes, Odysseus, Agamemnon, Patroclus and other Achaian warriors were very skilled warriors, they still took severe injuries and some even died because Zeus Cloud Gatherer wanted it. Nothing in this world can be determined by a man’s efforts alone but by his destiny. Even though you try to achieve a better life, your efforts will mean nothing if it is not your destiny. Even Achilles believed in his own cruel destiny, that if he went back to battle he will die an early death. Destiny really is a big factor that affects our live. Also, I believe that this belief in destiny is believed not only by the Greeks but also by the people of today.
During the war in books 12 to 17, the Trojans had the upper hand against the Achaeans. Even though the Trojans can be considered weaker than the Achaeans, they still managed to push back the Achaeans back to their ships. Why, because Zeus Almighty willed it. Zeus gave strength to the Trojans but crippled the Achaeans. He injured and killed some of the best warriors of Achaia and gave Hector the courage and strength to continue to drive back the Achaeans back to their ships. Although the Achaeans manage to fight back in the end, it was because of the help of Poseidon, Hera and Athena who gave them new strength and courage. The Trojans and the Achaeans strength did not mean much in the battle but it was the Gods’ interventions that changed the war dramatically to favour one or the other. The Gods really are important in the wars during the Greek era because they are the ones who determine the victor and the loser. And if the Gods willed it, no man can change it just like Destiny.
This link leads to a video about the war in books 12 to 17 and also about the death of Patroclus.
