The Iliad, Gilgamesh, and The Art of War take place in different time periods. The Art of War posits that good leadership is a matter of life and death, a path to security or ruin. Master Sun Tzu does everything he can, including extreme violence, to gain implicit obedience from his subjects, but because of their refusal to learn and listen, he must take drastic measures to pass his message, like beheading two of his favorite concubines. In the following two stories, the death of a companion constitutes a turning point in the lives and leadership of our two heroes. Both Gilgamesh and Achilles experienced aspirations and claims to greatness and glory, which is reinforced by the fact that they both have minor goddesses for a mortal mother and father. Both will eventually recognize their humanity. Gilgamesh and Achilles are so grieved by the loss of their friends that they attempt to push human limits. Gilgamesh is a tyrant and his lack of mercy towards his people results in a lack of mercy towards himself, as evidenced by his people appealing to God to act against them. Achilles' grief causes his rage to take over his life and almost lead to ruin. His mother tells him: “Fate is that if he kills Hector, he himself will die soon after” (Wilson, 38). One leader will eventually learn from others and their mortality to become a successful leader while the other will doom themselves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Leadership is the ability to govern and direct those who follow. Most great leaders possess certain attributes, such as patience, wisdom gained through experience, and selflessness. One author defines leadership as “a leader who respects and defends the traditional rights and practices of his people” (Vulpe 280). Leaders don't always have all of these traits, but they usually have a few. The kings of our stories are intoxicated with the desire for greatness more than with the desire to sacrifice themselves for the good of others. Gilgamesh builds the city of Uruk and becomes king. He behaves like a god before men and recognizes no force capable of resisting him. He doesn't care about the rights of the people. He uses his power and authority as a ruler to indulge only himself and his emotional and carnal desires, including the right to be the first to sleep with a new wife before her husband. Citizens' sons and daughters are also in danger due to his sexual appetite. Unfortunately, many people in positions of authority use their influence to get what they want. Gilgamesh transforms into such a cruel, self-centered, and stubborn ruler that the townspeople rebel against his rule and call on the gods to help them. They say: “Your people are now coming to you for help. Gilgamesh arrogantly leaves no son to his father, yet he should be the shepherd of the city” (Getty and Kwon 78). People don't see him as a city shepherd or a caring leader. Since Gilgamesh is two-thirds divine and one-third human, he believes himself to be omniscient, master of wisdom, and immortal. He goes on a journey in search of eternal life but after witnessing death he becomes afraid and as they approach danger, Gilgamesh says to his young friend Enkidu: "Who, my friend, can scale the sky ? Only the gods live forever under the sun. As for men, their days are numbered; Everything they achieve is just wind… If I fall, I will have made a name for myself: “Gilgamesh” – they will say – “against the fierce Huwawa fell. »… (Wilson 27). As they head to the Cedar Forest to defeat Humbaba, Gilgamesh, in an effort to be a good leader, says to Enkidu: "But since you now fear death and offer none of your courage, I , I will be your protector, while walking. in front of you! Your own mouth will tell others that you feared the onslaught of battle, while I, if I fell, would have established my name forever” (Getty and Kwon 84). This shows one of the traits of a good king by showing the skills of a leader and the ability to conquer one's fears. “His encounter with Enkidu teaches Gilgamesh that his power is not unlimited and that it will ultimately play an effective role in ending his tyranny in Uruk” (Vulpe 280). He had close companionship and love with a human friend and learned how valuable that is. At the end of the story, Gilgamesh has changed when he kills Humbaba. He saves the city and sees the limits of his control over events. He realizes that it also depends on the weather. After Gilgamesh went to Utnapishtim to find eternal life, Utnapishtim said to him, "Does anyone build a house that will last forever, or sign a contract forever?" The dead are the same, and Death makes no distinction between Servant and master, when they have reached the maximum duration allotted to them” (Getty and Kwon 94). Then Utnapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh and said to him: “Gilgamesh, you have worked a long time. What must I now give you before you return to your country? (Getty and Kwon 99). He tells him about a plant that looks like a buckthorn which will give him back the vigor of his youth. His past doesn't change, but it begins to change when he strays from his selfish ways and chooses to bring the plant of life back to his people rather than immediately eating it himself. He struggles to overcome several challenges while trying to bring the factory back to Uruk. Even though Gilgamesh fails in his quest, because the serpent took the plant from him, he has the well-being of his people at heart. Both Achilles and Gilgamesh are influenced by a relationship with a friend and they are reluctant to accept Enkidu's death. and Patroclus. Achilles is the bravest, handsomest and greatest Greek warrior of the Trojan War. His father had said to “always be the most valiant and superior to others” (Wilson 27) but his anger manifested and he became obsessed with revenge. After Achilles refuses to continue his service in the war, Patroclus goes to the battlefield disguised in Achilles' armor. It never occurs to them that Patroclus might be killed. The blame for his death should be placed on Achilles for allowing Patroclus to impersonate him on the battlefield. Achilles' grief and rage when Patroclus' body is brought to him can only be copied through animal imagery. Many times this speaks to the nature of humanity. Achilles' leadership begins with honor and glory, but this bypasses him when grief takes over his sanity. He ignores his physical needs when he decides not to sleep, rest, or eat because of his grief. Achilles can only focus on justifying Patroclus' loss, and in doing so he wants to kill as many Trojans as possible. He becomes a different person and shows dark, obsessive, and threatening behaviors, leading him to do horrible things to Hector's body by boastfully dragging him around the city. Achilles seeks greatness and notoriety, but he destroys them with his hatred and grief. He must return from the place where his unbearable loss plunged him. But Achilles does not understand that the revenge he seeks will only ensure his own death. Achilles cannot.