Changes

The Homeric epics became foundational elements of late [[Greek]] and [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] culture, as well as informing [[Rome|Roman]] notions of morality and history.  The epics, together, taught the importance of ''[[arete]]'' - noble, virtuous warfare, without excess and with respect for one's fatherland - along with defining mankind's relation with the [[polytheism|gods]] in the Greek [[cosmology]], along with various other cultural notions.  As an example of their importance, [[Alexander the Great]] is said to have slept with the two epics either under his pillow, or at his side.<ref>Plutarch, ''Vitae Parallae'', Life of Alexander.</ref>

The Homeric epics became foundational elements of late [[Greek]] and [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] culture, as well as informing [[Rome|Roman]] notions of morality and history.  The epics, together, taught the importance of ''[[arete]]'' - noble, virtuous warfare, without excess and with respect for one's fatherland - along with defining mankind's relation with the [[polytheism|gods]] in the Greek [[cosmology]], along with various other cultural notions.  As an example of their importance, [[Alexander the Great]] is said to have slept with the two epics either under his pillow, or at his side.<ref>Plutarch, ''Vitae Parallae'', Life of Alexander.</ref>

==References==

==References==