Aristeia
An aristeia or aristia (; , ""excellence"") is a scene in the dramatic conventions of epic poetry as in the "Iliad", where a hero in battle has his finest moments ("aristos" = "best"). "Aristeia" may result in the death of the hero, and therefore suggests a "battle in which he reaches his peak as a fighter and hero". Historical background. In the pre-hoplite phase of Greek military evolution, the well-armed aristocrat was the major focus of military action, placed at the apex of his less well-armed dependants. This was reflected in the Homeric division between nobility and commoners , and in the regular epic struggles over the armour of the former, once fallen in their aristeia. Classical hoplite armies, though very different, nevertheless still awarded prizes (aristeia) for individual excellence in action. Epic examples. Literally, "moment of excellence", "aristeiai" often coincide with battleground slaughter, and feature one warrior who dominates the battle. Recent examples. In the film "300", individual Spartan deaths are often portrayed as a Homeric aristeia. See also. Arete (excellence)