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What is a highly desired virtue in Homeric Greece as well as feudal Europe?

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Final answer:

A common virtue highly regarded in both Homeric Greece and feudal Europe is 'arete' or 'excellence,' which encompasses both moral virtue and success in public life. Civic virtue, focusing on the good of the community, was also essential to the ideal functioning of a state. The public display of virtue through honorable actions was respected in both cultures.

Step-by-step explanation:

A highly desired virtue that was valued in both Homeric Greece and feudal Europe is arete, which translates to 'excellence' or 'moral virtue.' During the Homeric period, the focus was on excelling in warfare and rhetoric as a means of achieving honor and influence. Civic virtue was also highly regarded, emphasizing the importance of the community's good over individual desires. In feudal Europe, similar virtues of honor, duty, and prowess in battle were celebrated.

The concept of civic virtue was considered essential to the functioning of a healthy state, according to Greek philosophers like Plato. This idea persisted into Roman times and even influenced some European thinkers, becoming foundational to the concept of public virtue that was important for sustaining democratic systems.

Finally, Greek culture valued the public performance of excellence, where individuals endeavored to excel in all domains to avoid public shame and gain honor. This concept of excellence in public life was also mirrored in feudal Europe, where a person's public deeds and status in society were of paramount importance.

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