Hubris
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| - | '''Hubris''' or '''hybris''', according to its modern usage, is exaggerated self [[pride]] or self-confidence (overbearing pride), often resulting in fatal retribution. In [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greece]], '''hubris''' referred to actions taken in order to shame the victim, thereby making oneself seem superior. | + | '''Hubris''' or '''hybris''', according to its modern usage, is exaggerated [[self pride]] or [[self-confidence]] ([[overbearing]] [[pride]]), often resulting in [[fatal]] [[retribution]]. In [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greece]], '''hubris''' referred to actions taken in order to [[shame]] the victim, thereby making oneself seem [[superior]]. |
| - | Hubris was a crime in [[Ancient Greek law|classical Athens]]. Violations of the law against hubris ranged from what might today be termed [[assault and battery]], to [[sexual assault]], to the [[theft]] of public or sacred property. Two well-known cases are found in the speeches of [[Demosthenes]]; first, when Meidias punched Demosthenes in the face in the theater (''Against Meidias''). The second (''Against Konon'') involved a defendant who allegedly assaulted a man and crowed over the victim like a fighting cock. In the second case it is not so much the assault that is evidence of hubris as the insulting behavior over the victim. | + | Hubris was a [[crime]] in [[Ancient Greek law|classical Athens]]. Violations of the law against hubris ranged from what might today be termed [[assault and battery]], to [[sexual assault]], to the [[theft]] of public or [[sacred property]]. Two well-known cases are found in the speeches of [[Demosthenes]]; first, when Meidias punched Demosthenes in the face in the theater (''Against Meidias''). The second (''Against Konon'') involved a defendant who allegedly assaulted a man and crowed over the victim like a fighting cock. In the second case it is not so much the assault that is evidence of hubris as the insulting behavior over the victim. |
| Perhaps the primary example of hubris is [[Achilles]]' treatment of Hector's corpse in the [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]''. Similarly [[Creon]] commits hubris in refusing to bury Polynices in [[Sophocles]]' ''[[Antigone]]''. In the tragedy ''Agamemnon'', by [[Aeschylus]], [[Agamemnon]] initially rejects the hubris of walking on the fine purple tapestry, an act which is suggested by [[Clytemnestra]] in hopes of bringing his ruin. This act may be seen as a desecration of a divinely woven tapestry, as a general flouting of the strictures imposed by the gods, or simply as an act of extreme pride and lack of humility before the gods, tempting them to retribution. | Perhaps the primary example of hubris is [[Achilles]]' treatment of Hector's corpse in the [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]''. Similarly [[Creon]] commits hubris in refusing to bury Polynices in [[Sophocles]]' ''[[Antigone]]''. In the tragedy ''Agamemnon'', by [[Aeschylus]], [[Agamemnon]] initially rejects the hubris of walking on the fine purple tapestry, an act which is suggested by [[Clytemnestra]] in hopes of bringing his ruin. This act may be seen as a desecration of a divinely woven tapestry, as a general flouting of the strictures imposed by the gods, or simply as an act of extreme pride and lack of humility before the gods, tempting them to retribution. | ||
| The category of acts constituting hubris for the ancient Greeks apparently broadened from the original specific reference to molestation of a corpse, or a humiliation of a defeated foe, to molestation, or "outrageous treatment", in general. The meaning was further generalized in its modern English usage to apply to any outrageous act or exhibition of pride or disregard for basic moral law. Such an act may be referred to as an "act of hubris", or the person committing the act may be said to exhibit hubris in his or her actions.{{GFDL}} | The category of acts constituting hubris for the ancient Greeks apparently broadened from the original specific reference to molestation of a corpse, or a humiliation of a defeated foe, to molestation, or "outrageous treatment", in general. The meaning was further generalized in its modern English usage to apply to any outrageous act or exhibition of pride or disregard for basic moral law. Such an act may be referred to as an "act of hubris", or the person committing the act may be said to exhibit hubris in his or her actions.{{GFDL}} | ||
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Hubris or hybris, according to its modern usage, is exaggerated self pride or self-confidence (overbearing pride), often resulting in fatal retribution. In Ancient Greece, hubris referred to actions taken in order to shame the victim, thereby making oneself seem superior.
Hubris was a crime in classical Athens. Violations of the law against hubris ranged from what might today be termed assault and battery, to sexual assault, to the theft of public or sacred property. Two well-known cases are found in the speeches of Demosthenes; first, when Meidias punched Demosthenes in the face in the theater (Against Meidias). The second (Against Konon) involved a defendant who allegedly assaulted a man and crowed over the victim like a fighting cock. In the second case it is not so much the assault that is evidence of hubris as the insulting behavior over the victim.
Perhaps the primary example of hubris is Achilles' treatment of Hector's corpse in the Homer's Iliad. Similarly Creon commits hubris in refusing to bury Polynices in Sophocles' Antigone. In the tragedy Agamemnon, by Aeschylus, Agamemnon initially rejects the hubris of walking on the fine purple tapestry, an act which is suggested by Clytemnestra in hopes of bringing his ruin. This act may be seen as a desecration of a divinely woven tapestry, as a general flouting of the strictures imposed by the gods, or simply as an act of extreme pride and lack of humility before the gods, tempting them to retribution.
The category of acts constituting hubris for the ancient Greeks apparently broadened from the original specific reference to molestation of a corpse, or a humiliation of a defeated foe, to molestation, or "outrageous treatment", in general. The meaning was further generalized in its modern English usage to apply to any outrageous act or exhibition of pride or disregard for basic moral law. Such an act may be referred to as an "act of hubris", or the person committing the act may be said to exhibit hubris in his or her actions.
