An epic is an extended poem reflecting the values and identity of a people. Read this summary of a scene in the ancient Greek epic The Iliad. In The Iliad, the Achaians have been fighting the Trojans for many years. At one point, the ghost of a slain warrior, Patroclus, appears in a dream to Achilles, his best friend and the greatest warrior of the Achaian army. Patroclus, whose body the Trojans plan to mutilate as a warning to the Achaians, begs Achilles to get his body back and hold his funeral so he can enter the realm of the dead. Which conclusion about ancient Greek culture can you most logically draw, based on this information?
A) The ancient Greeks believed in the importance of honoring the dead and conducting proper funeral rites.
B) The ancient Greeks had a strong belief in the afterlife and the journey of the soul.
C) The ancient Greeks valued friendship and loyalty, as seen in the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.
D) The ancient Greeks viewed war as a central part of their identity and culture.
