War, Peace, and Justice Symposium
Mourning Athena, Marble Relief, Acropolis Museum, Athens, circa 470 BC.
Athena
Athena, Greek mythological goddess of wisdom and war, is featured in Homer’s Iliad as the warrior-defender, protector of civilized life and of artisan activities.
In competition with Poseidon to be patron of Athens, Poseidon struck a spear into the ground to create a well, into which Athena planted an olive tree. Athena was said to have given the greater gift: the olive tree, its branches symbolizing the peace Athena preferred.
Hector and Andromache
In the Iliad, as Hector prepares for battle to defend his homeland of Troy, he shares a tender goodbye with his wife, Andromache. Poet John Livecchi’s imaginative rendering of their final conversation illuminates the vast scope of the tragedy of war: it affects not only the warrior, but also beloved family, friends, and homeland, stretching beyond the present. The War, Peace, and Justice Symposium will explore the broad impact of war via public dialogue and the arts.
Hector to Andromache
I dreamt again of dry leaves rustling
Of winds howling off the shore
Carrying them away in great gusts
Till all were carried away.
It will be tomorrow, I think
Our final parting. Love for you
Tells me dishonor would be a small
Price for another moment together.
If we could but disappear,
I’d gladly surrender pride and glory
To keep you by my side,
My bride, my very life.
But we both know I must fall.
My men, my city, my family, even you
Demand I stand firm
Leaving you, our child,
Everyone I love to
Who knows what calamities.
My death, I fear, will be the easiest,
Quick as an eye’s blink,
And I’ll be spared knowing
What will follow.
Will the Greeks hold their honor?
Or will blood flow like a river
With nothing sacred
And no one spared?
Since the gods shield us
From knowing the end,
Let my last glimpse of you Be your sweet smile.
Let's recall tender words we shared, Give thanks for time together
For laughter and tears
And every moment
Life gave.
If she has nothing for us,
Let’s not berate her,
For what she gave was
All we needed to sustain us.