Arete (Greek: ἀρετή), in its basic sense, means excellence of any kind. Consider the “Arete” of a race horse and a plow horse. It’s related to araomai, to pray, and to aristos, meaning “the best.” That’s where the word “aristocracy” comes from. And so one has virtuous rules of behavior. She was also the niece of her husband, as Alcinous and Rhexenor, Arete's father, were brothers, descendants of the god Poseidon.. For the thin ridge of rock formed by glaciers, see, Homer. If arete is knowledge, Greek philosophers concluded that the highest human knowledge is knowledge about oneself through stillness and contemplation. To follow arete also means to live up to one's full potential. In ancient Greece, this notion of excellence was bound up with the act of living up to one's full potential. The concept was a complex one in the Greek world, combining personal fulfilment with status and reputation. The first thing you should know if you are considering Arete for your baby's name is that in most countries all over the world the name Arete is a girl name. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential. Her opposite number was the daimona Kakia (Cacia), lady of vice. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, the ideal form of a thing is its arete, the goal that everything is trying to get to. Arête in Greek is Simply Excellence. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. Being very good at something good is the definition of arete; Medea’s witchcraft, for example, isn’t arete because it’s a bad thing. Overall, Arete was known as a goddess of virtue and knowledge. In the Greek tragedy 'Medea', when the Argonauts and the Colchian princess Medea arrived at the island of Scheria, Arete received them and treated them hospitably. It roughly means moral virtue, and refers to an innate excellence in all things, and the striving toward that potential or purpose as a way of life. Arete is a Greek word meaning excellence, but encompasses more than just what we refer to in the English language as excellence. Experts write all our 2500 articles (and counting! Using arete as a principle for living life means that you are focused on the quality of everything you do and experience. Open to your sponsorships, link exchanges, or just friendly talk about history. Arete, a Term for Which Their is No English Equivalent. The term may also mean "moral virtue". When Odysseus arrived there, he prayed first to Arete for protection on Athena's suggestion. Arete (Ancient Greek: ἀρετή), alternately Areté, is defined as excellence of any kind. Arete offered him glory and a life of fighting evil on behalf of the good and her opposite, Kakia, promised him a life of riches. All rights reserved. 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Her opposite number was the daimon Kakia, lady of vice. Arete comes from the classical Greek era originally defined as “excellence” in a form. In ancient Greek, the word arete meant virtue or excellence. In another early myth, she offered Hercules glory and a life spent fighting evil on behalf of the good. She was depicted as a fair woman of high bearing, dressed in white. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. DIFFERENT TYPES OF ARETÉ— Heroic Arete. The name Arete is of Greek origin, and is used in more than one countries and different languages of the world, especially English speaking countries, Greek speaking countries among others. Some sources claim that it means "righteous", while others connect it with Ares, the Greek god of war. Did you figure out the definition of arete? Good question! Arete is a basic translation in ancient greek of the english word courage though arete technically translates as to fulfilling one's duty to the highest ability. Her Roman name was Virtus. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Arête definition is - a sharp-crested ridge in rugged mountains. We were thinking of Questions, and Quick, and Quality. Arete, to the ancient Greeks, was the key to fulfilling one’s life purpose. 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The concept was a complex one in the Greek world, combining personal fulfilment with status and reputation. The term may also mean "moral virtue". Advantages of Self-Paced Distance Learning, Advantages of Distance Learning Compared to Face-to-Face Learning, Top 50 K-12 School Districts for Teachers in Georgia, Those Winter Sundays: Theme, Tone & Imagery. The same ‘species’ of animal…each having a distinct purpose and the innate ability to achieve highest potential. Aristocracy is the rule of the best people. Arete is often translated "virtue," but this English word is more abstract and suggests to us a Judaic-Christian ethic which is of course alien to the classical Greeks. Therefore, it is apparent in the epics that "valor and the adherence to duty in the face of overwhelming odds were all important. Log in here for access. As noted in the comments on your question, arête is a misspelling of arete, meaning “excellence of any kind”, particularly moral excellence (as used in your example). This lesson contains details about the Greek goddess Arete, including her history and her legacy. Commonly associated with virtue as in the excellence of character. Interestingly, the words arete and the greek word for “knowledge” were used almost synonymously. In ancient Greek culture, Arete was what all people aspired. Arete was the goddess or daimona of virtue, excellence, goodness and valour. Jennifer has taught various courses in U.S. Government, Criminal Law, Business, Public Administration and Ethics and has an MPA and a JD. Arete was a minor Greek goddess and therefore very little mythological background is known about her. Queen Arete, in Greek mythology, was the wife of Alcinous, King of the Phaeacians, and mother of Nausicaa and Laodamas. The ancient Greek philosophers suggested that it may be that the only true way to understand Arete is to consider two or more examples of excellence and contemplate what they share, rather than making judgments about one being ‘better’ or ‘worse’. They lived in eminent families under the leadership of a local oligarchy described as ’αγαθος (good). We were thinking of the four corners of the world - four Quarters. So arete would mean different things for different people. Another word for arete. 's' : ''}}. For the thin ridge of rock formed by glaciers, see, Homer. Arete (Greek: ἀρετή), in its basic sense, means excellence of any kind. Let us know in the comments! 1962, Lionel Ignacius Cusack Pearson, Popular Ethics in Ancient Greece, page 78 (translating a line from an old text): All arete is included in justice, Cyrnus. Arete could be loosely applied to describe any type of valor or virtue, from exceptional bravery in war to loyalty and resolve. The Greek Arete - Greek Leadership Fund was established in 2018 by Eric and Karin Burwell to highlight and elevate the excellence and virtue affiliated with the Illinois State University Fraternity and Sorority Life experience while honoring the history and foundation of fraternal organizations. It roughly means moral virtue, and refers to an innate excellence in all things, and the striving toward that potential or purpose as a way of life. Create your account, Already registered? Arete (Greek: ἀρετή), in its basic sense, means "excellence" of any kind. Arêtes form as the result of the continued backward erosion of adjoining cirques. Thus, the circumflex is not an error, but is misplaced. Not in the bashing sense of excellence the ego uses that deems those around you as incompetent or lesser but the view that excellence of character is that of an ever achieving one, driven on the pursuit to rise beyond the … flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Arete is an ancient Greek word that means “Excellence!” Not excellence like, “ you did an excellent job”, but excellence in the sense of you are living up to your FULL potential and capability. Aristotle believed that arete was directly linked to human knowledge. "Excellence" is better, or "worth." See more. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one’s full potential. Arete is often translated "virtue," but this English word is more abstract and suggests to us a Judaic-Christian ethic which is of course alien to the classical Greeks. Explain why arete was important to Greek culture. Visit the High School World History: Help and Review page to learn more. Athletes have arete when they win the foot-race. Ancient Greek Olympians strove to emulate the valiant traits of Homeric warriors. Are you reading Aristotle in Greek... 'arete' -- virtue/excellence 'ethike' --- how one behaves and rules associated with behavior, and relates to 'character'. When the Colchians arrived at the island looking for the Argonauts and their princess Medea to take her home to be tried for murder, Arete tried to talk with her husband into granting Medea mercy to stay on the island. What is arete? ARETE was the goddess or personified spirit (daimona) of virtue, excellence, goodness and valour. Study.com has thousands of articles about every To follow arete also means to live up to one's full potential. Arete in action: Penelope and her slave watch Odysseus kill the suitors. Arete was a minor Greek goddess and therefore very little mythological background is known about her. Sign me up! Find more ways to say arete, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. ἀρετή, ἀρετῆς, ἡ (see ἄρα at the beginning), a word of very wide signification in Greek writings; any excellence of a person (in body or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment, property or quality. "Excellence" is better, or "worth." The term may also mean “moral virtue”. Arete was known as the Greek goddess of virtue and knowledge. One of the greatest obstacles to pursuing Arete as a way of life is the acceptance of mediocrity as a way of life. So then, arete is a superior virtue, the aristocracy of virtues. Not only people could have arete – a well-built house, a beautiful piece of pottery, and a strong horse all had arete too. What is known is that Arete was the Queen of Scheria and ruled the Phaeacians with her husband, King Alcinous. Arete in Greek philosophy Arete was a concept that dominated Greek culture for hundreds of years and featured prominently in the writings of philosophers of that time. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Take actions that focus on arete. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential. The poetry of Simonides of Cos presents areté in a divine perspective: only a god is perfect and can permanently possess areté. What is the Difference Between Blended Learning & Distance Learning? About This Greek Term ARETE – In this topic, we are going to know and learn about the Greek term which is called Arete (ἀρετή). Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. The funeral rights [‘rites’] are an important part of Greek and Homeric culture and it is important that those who are killed, particularly in battle, are accorded the proper rights [‘rites’] to enable them to enter the world of Hades. Arete was the ancient Greek goddess or personified spirit (daimona) of virtue, excellence, goodness and valour. One of the greatest obstacles to pursuing Arete as a way of life is the acceptance of mediocrity as a way of life. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Rather, Greek religion was … Arete, to the ancient Greeks, was the key to fulfilling one’s life purpose. Commonly associated with virtue as in the excellence of character. Arete (Greek: ἀρετή), in its basic sense, means "excellence of any kind". Arete (Greek: ἀρετή) Arete in its basic sense, means “excellence of any kind”. Even the great philosophers of Greece conceded that there was no single way to define or achieve arete. ... Arete is the general moral virtue or charity of your argument. 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