Final answer:
The ancient Greeks, as conveyed by Homer, believed that a meaningful life required following divine examples and fate, mastering war and rhetoric, and excelling in public arenas, which then evolved into a pursuit of knowledge and reasoning with philosophers like Socrates and Plato.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Homer, the ancient Greeks believed that living a meaningful life depended primarily on following the examples of the gods and accepting one's moira or fate, as well as striving for personal excellence through public performance of virtue, particularly in the realms of battle and rhetoric. This was part of a broader cultural humanism that placed humans at the center of thought and ethics. Yet, the transition towards philosophical reasoning, as seen in the works of Socrates and Plato, indicated a shift from oral traditions and belief in the divine to an emphasis on reasoning and the pursuit of knowledge to determine a moral and good life.