Final answer:
The ultimate goal of the warrior ethos has historically been to achieve glory through bravery and prowess on the battlefield, to uphold a leader's legitimacy, and to inspire unity and resolve among the people. Today, this ethos often symbolizes collective strategic superiority rather than individual martial skill, reflecting the changing nature of warfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ultimate goal of the warrior ethos has evolved over time, reflecting changes in the nature of warfare and the role of soldiers and military leaders within society. In historical contexts, the warrior ethos often revolved around the valorization of courage, skill in combat, and loyalty to one's leader or country. A supreme goal for warriors in this traditional sense might be to attain glory through bravery and prowess on the battlefield.
Throughout various epochs, prominent figures and leaders have been portrayed as embodying this warrior ethos to strengthen their legitimacy and inspire their people, even if their actual military accomplishments were limited or non-existent. The portrayal of leaders like Stalin and others as strategic and military geniuses, despite the facts underlying their military achievements, demonstrates the vital importance of the warrior archetype to successful personality cults, as noted by Simon Price regarding Domitian and Trajan.
In modern times, however, the focus has often shifted from individual heroism to collective effort and strategic superiority, as highlighted by Sun Tzu's principle that the highest form of excellence is breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. The mechanization of warfare has also significantly altered the warrior ethos, as personal bravery and combat skills can become irrelevant in the face of overwhelming technological force. Nevertheless, the ideal of the warrior continues to hold sway, often as a symbol of resistance, patriotism, and the resolve to overcome adversity, rather than as a literal call to arms.