Question

According to Iliad Book 13, why did the war not matter to Aeneas until he learned of Alcathous' death?"

a. Alcathous was Aeneas's close friend.
b. Aeneas was indifferent to the war.
c. Alcathous was Aeneas's brother.
d. Aeneas realized the personal cost of the war.

Answer 1

Iliad Book 13 doesn't specify the relationship between Aeneas and Alcathous, but the death of Alcathous likely highlighted the personal costs of the war to Aeneas, reflecting the theme of friendship and kinship in epic poetry. Option A is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Iliad Book 13, the reason the war did not matter to Aeneas until he learned of Alcathous' death is not directly stated. However, one can infer that Aeneas, much like other characters in the epic, is moved by the personal losses that war brings.

It is not specified in Book 13 that Alcathous was a close friend, brothers, or had a specific direct relationship with Aeneas, but the impact of Alcathous's death signifies the personalized cost of war and perhaps the broader calamity that war inflicts on personal relationships and individuals.

The bond of friendship, brotherhood, and kinship is a central theme in epic poetry, and the death of a comrade often serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict.