Donald Kagan Quote

This is aretē; this is the best human prize and the fairest for a young man to win. The man who fights without pause among the promachoi is a common good (xynon esthlon) for the polis and all the people (demos). … If he falls among the promachoi and loses his dear life, he brings honor to his town (asty) and his people (laoi) and his father. Young and old alike lament him / and his entire polis mourns with painful regret. / His tomb and his children are notable among men, / and his children’s children, and his genos hereafter … / but if he escapes the doom of death … having prevailed [in battle], … / all men give place to him alike, the youth and the elders…. / Growing old he is distinguished among his citizens. Never does his name or his excellent glory (kleos) perish, but even though he is beneath the earth he is immortal.