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The Iliad of Homer - Get a Free Blog

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245. —<strong>The</strong> destinies ordain.—"In<br />

the mythology, also, <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Iliad</strong>,<br />

purely Pagan as it is, we<br />

discover one important truth<br />

unconsciously involved, which<br />

was almost entirely lost from<br />

view amidst the nearly equal<br />

scepticism and credulity <strong>of</strong><br />

subsequent ages. Zeus or<br />

Jupiter is popularly to be taken<br />

as omnipotent. No distinct empire<br />

is assigned to fate or fortune;<br />

the will <strong>of</strong> the father <strong>of</strong><br />

gods and men is absolute and<br />

uncontrollable. This seems to<br />

be the true character <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Homer</strong>ic<br />

deity, and it is very necessary<br />

that the student <strong>of</strong><br />

Greek literature should bear it<br />

constantly in mind. A strong<br />

instance in the <strong>Iliad</strong> itself to illustrate<br />

this position, is the<br />

passage where Jupiter laments

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