Physical and Intellectual Excellence in the Republic and the Iliad Anonymous College

Both The Iliad and The Republic present a form of hero. Achilles of The Iliad embodies the conventional idea of the hero: physically strong, warlike, and honor-loving. However, Socrates of The Republic, with his never-ending search for wisdom, does not fit any commonly accepted term of hero. Achilles and Socrates display very contrasting forms of excellence. While Achilles embodies the quintessence of physical excellence, Socrates displays the highest form of intellectual excellence. Although both types of excellence are valuable, the intellectual excellence of Socrates proves to be superior. These different types of excellence are reflected in two of the various different soul types described in The Republic: the Timocratic and the Aristocratic. While Achilles embodies the Timocratic soul type through his love of honor and war, Socrates personifies the Aristocratic soul type through his love of wisdom.

The Timocratic soul is characterized by love of war and value of power and honor amongst men (Republic 547e). While these are not dishonorable characteristics, they are worldly appetites. Of the three parts of the soul—reason, spirit, and desire—the Timocratic soul is led by spirit, which is inferior to reason and subject to...