Understanding Timē: Honor and Worth

In this course, *timē* means “honor” or “worth,” but it appears differently depending on who

has it. In general, *timē* is the value someone has in the eyes of others and

the rights or privileges that come with that value. For a god, *timē* is the fixed

domain and honors they hold in the cosmos, meaning what part of the world they

rule, what sacrifices they receive, and what kind of power they are recognized

as having. For a hero, *timē* is competitive and fragile, depending on public

recognition, glory in battle, and especially visible prizes (*gera*) that prove his status

to other warriors. For a heroine, *timē* is usually tied to the *oikos* or household and