Cunning & Wisdom: Greek Heroic Tradition

Main thing

In Greek mythology, the greatest heroes were defined not only by their strength and courage but also by their cunning intelligence (metis) and practical wisdom (phronesis). These mental qualities were considered just as important as physical prowess for a hero to overcome challenges and achieve great feats. Heroes like Odysseus and Perseus embodied this ideal, using their wits and strategic thinking to outwit monsters, navigate perilous situations, and ultimately triumph. Odysseus, for example, was known for his clever schemes like the Trojan Horse and his ability to think his way out of tough spots during his long journey home. Perseus succeeded in slaying the monstrous Medusa by using his intelligence to find her weakness and his wisdom to avoid looking directly at her petrifying gaze. The Greeks valued and celebrated this combination of mental and physical excellence in their mythological heroes, seeing it as the key to success in a dangerous and unpredictable world.

Terms

• Metis – a quality that combined wisdom and cunning intelligence. Metis was considered a highly admirable trait possessed by heroes like Odysseus. The Greek goddess Metis, Zeus' first wife, personified this quality. For example, Odysseus demonstrates metis by devising the plan to hide Greek soldiers inside the Trojan Horse, tricking the Trojans into bringing it inside their city walls.

• Phronesis – practical, prudent wisdom that guides good decision making and judgment. Heroes needed phronesis along with metis to achieve their goals. For instance, Odysseus shows phronesis by carefully planning his route home to Ithaca, disguising himself to scope out the situation with Penelope's suitors, and devising a way to defeat them and reclaim his kingdom.

• Odysseus – a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus was renowned for his brilliance, guile, and versatility. His metis and phronesis allowed him to outwit foes like the Cyclops Polyphemus and navigate complex challenges on his long journey home from the Trojan War.

• Perseus – a celebrated hero in Greek mythology, best known for slaying the Gorgon Medusa. Perseus used his wits and wisdom to find and defeat Medusa, using a mirror to avoid her petrifying gaze and exploiting her mortal vulnerability.

• Trojan Horse – a huge wooden horse built by the Greeks during the Trojan War to trick their way into the city of Troy. It was Odysseus' idea to hide soldiers inside the horse and deceive the Trojans into bringing it within their impenetrable walls. The Trojan Horse is the most famous example of Odysseus' guile and cunning.

An analogy

The cunning and wisdom of Greek heroes is like a skilled chess player who succeeds through clever strategy and foresight, planning many moves ahead, rather than just reacting in the moment. They outwit their opponents with a nimble mind.

Example: A chess grandmaster like Garry Kasparov defeating a powerful computer through strategic brilliance is like Odysseus outwitting the brute strength of the Cyclops.

A main misconception

Many people think of Greek heroes as only mighty warriors, but this neglects the central importance of intelligence, cunning and wisdom to the Greek heroic ideal. Brute force alone was not enough - heroes had to be smart and strategic to achieve greatness.

A common example is Heracles/Hercules, who is often portrayed in modern times as just a muscle-bound strongman, when his "Twelve Labors" myth actually emphasizes his wits and craftiness as much as his strength.

The history

1. Archaic period (8th-6th century BCE): Early Greek heroes like Heracles/Hercules were known primarily for their strength and physical abilities in defeating monsters and completing epic feats.

2. 8th century BCE: Homer's epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey establish the archetype of the cunning, wise hero through figures like Odysseus, highlighting how intelligence became as important as strength.

3. 6th-5th century BCE: Greek mythology is systematized and cunning heroes like Perseus are popularized in art and literature, reflecting the increased cultural value placed on wit and wisdom.

4. 4th century BCE: Philosophers like Aristotle analyze virtues including practical wisdom (phronesis) as a key component of human excellence, further cementing the importance of metis and phronesis in the heroic ideal.

5. Hellenistic and Roman eras: Greek heroic ideals are adapted by the Romans, influencing portrayals of figures like Aeneas in Virgil's Aeneid, who embodies both martial prowess and strategic intelligence.

"There is a wise and cunning Odysseus inside each of us." - Jean Houston, scholar of mythology (1937-present) Houston suggests these heroic qualities are universal human potentials.

Three cases how to use it right now

1. When facing a challenge at work, school or in your personal life, don't just charge ahead blindly. Take time to analyze the situation from all angles and devise a smart strategic plan, like Odysseus carefully planning his long route home to Ithaca.

2. In an argument or debate, instead of just yelling louder, look for clever ways to outwit your rhetorical opponent, like Odysseus besting the loud-mouthed soldier Thersites with his superior command of persuasive language.

3. To achieve an ambitious long-term goal, break it down into steps and come up with a prudent plan that accounts for obstacles, like the forethought the hero Perseus shows in his quest to slay the monstrous Medusa.

Interesting facts

• The goddess Athena, born from Zeus' head, represented wisdom, cunning intelligence and strategic warfare - all key heroic qualities.

• The Trojan Horse, the most famous example of Odysseus' guile, was actually thought up by the goddess Athena in some versions of the myth, showing the divine sanction for cunning.

• The Greek hero Odysseus spent 10 years carefully planning and executing his return home after the Trojan War, overcoming monsters, temptations and dangers through his wits as much as his strength.

• Heracles, the strongest of the Greek heroes, still relied on his brains as much as his brawn to complete his famous "12 Labors", such as tricking Atlas into taking back the burden of holding up the sky.

• In the Odyssey, Odysseus encounters a race of one-eyed giants called Cyclopes and blinds Polyphemus after tricking him by saying his name is "Nobody" - a clever exploitation of language that allows him to escape.