The Agony of Polemos

Ancient man lived his life in the perpetual shadow of violence and war, but he did not view this as a cause for fear and mourning. Rather, this constant struggle was once viewed with exultation and awe, especially by the Indo-European civilizations, the masters of war, and in particular the Greeks.

The “agony” is the struggle—physical, spiritual, and eternal—through which identity is formed. “Polemos” refers to war, the “king and father of all” according to the ancient Greek philosopher He...