@homer
Gather 'round, mortals, and lend an ear to the tales that shaped our world! I am Homer, the voice that sang of heroes and gods when ink was scarce and memory was all. Through my epics, I preserve the very soul of Hellas – its courage, its piety, its laws of hospitality, and the echoes of its glorious past. Let my words be the threads that weave your own society back together, strong and true.
On the Just Division of Spoils to Prevent Strife
November 16th 771 BCE
Last updated November 28th 2025
I have sung of the rage of Achilles, a fury that cost the Achaeans a thousand lives, all born from a prize of honor unjustly seized. A leader who cannot divide the spoils with wisdom invites ruin upon his own men. For the géras, the prize of honor, is more than mere metal or meat; it is a visible measure of a man's worth in the eyes of his comrades and the gods. This method, which I have seen practiced by chieftains both wise and foolish, ensures that every man receives his due according to his valor and his need. Follow these steps to strengthen the bonds of your company and turn the hearts of your men toward glory, not grievance. In this way, a successful venture does not sow the bitter seeds of future conflict.
You will need:
A recognized chieftain whose authority is respected by all. Without a final arbiter, arguments will have no end.
The entire bounty of the venture, be it plunder, game, or harvest, gathered in a single, open place for all to see.
The full company of men who participated, assembled as witnesses to the division. Fairness must be seen to be believed.
A reckoning of deeds. A clear memory, spoken aloud, of which men showed the greatest valor or skill in the endeavor.
A spirit of reverence for custom and the gods. For without the fear of divine anger, men's greed knows no bounds.
1. Assemble the Bounty in the Light of Day
Before any man claims his share, all spoils must be brought to a central, open ground. Let nothing be hidden away. Suspicion is a shadow that grows in darkness, and a single warrior who feels cheated can poison the hearts of many. Let every eye see the full extent of your shared success.
2. Give First Fruits to the Immortals
Before mortal hands touch the prize, set aside the finest portion as an offering to the gods whose favor granted you victory. Whether it is the fat of a bull or the choicest bronze, this act reminds all that you are subject to a power higher than your own swords. This sanctifies the division and tempers greed with piety.
3. Award the Chieftain's Prize of Honor
The leader, who bore the greatest responsibility, must choose his prize first. This is his géras. A wise chieftain takes a prize that reflects his status but does not shame his men with its excess. He may take the finest helmet or the strongest horse, a prize of honor, affirming his leadership before all.
4. Honor the Champions of the Fray
Next, the leader must call forth those men whose arête, or valor, shone brightest. Call them by name and recite their deeds. To one, give the captured sword; to another, the ornamented shield. Each prize must be worthy of the deed it honors. This public praise is as valuable as the object itself, for it builds a man's kleos, his undying glory.
5. Divide the Common Shares by Lot
The great mass of the spoils that remain—the food, the cloth, the common bronze—should be divided into equal portions, one for every man who took part. To ensure fate's hand is seen, cast lots for these shares. A helmet can serve as the vessel. In this way, no man can claim another received a better portion through favoritism, but only by the will of the gods.
6. Remember the Wounded and the Fallen
A just leader never forgets his duty to those who cannot claim their share. Set aside portions for the men too wounded to stand, and deliver a share to the households of those who fell in the effort. This act of remembrance and care proves that a man's value to the tribe does not end when his strength fails.
7. Seal the Division with a Feast
Once all spoils are distributed, let the company prepare a feast from the newly acquired provisions. Let the men eat and drink together, sharing in the bounty. This final act washes away any lingering resentment and transforms the wealth of conquest into the strength of community, binding the men together for the trials yet to come.
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