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The Battered Shield: Survivor Guilt and Family Trauma in Menander’s Aspis

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Combat Trauma and the Ancient Greeks

Part of the book series: The New Antiquity ((NANT))

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Abstract

Although Menander’s generally sentimental theater, written in a period of prolonged political turmoil and regular outbreaks of war, is relatively apolitical and nontopical, it remains conscious of its larger social and cultural setting (see Konstan 1995 and Lape 2004, among many others).1 In Aspis, I will argue, Menander depicts the very specific social realities of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PLSD), survivor guilt, and family trauma—psychological issues that would have been familiar to many in his audience.2 With this play Menander creates a space for such viewers to experience a very personal catharsis. Its extravagant metatheatrics notwithstanding, Aspis constantly recurs to loss, grief, and an ever-widening circle of survivors whose lives will be irremediably damaged by the soldier’s death.3 The happy turn, in which the warrior returns unharmed, offered a comforting wish-fulfillment for many viewers, a fantasy of family rescue and reintegration.

This chapter owes much to the generous assistance of others, and I am glad to thank them here. Corey Brennan provided invaluable historical resources; Bill Race and David Konstan read drafts with great care and patience. I am grateful to them all.

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  1. Sharon L. James
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Peter Meineck David Konstan

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James, S.L. (2014). The Battered Shield: Survivor Guilt and Family Trauma in Menander’s Aspis. In: Meineck, P., Konstan, D. (eds) Combat Trauma and the Ancient Greeks. The New Antiquity. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137398864_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137398864_12

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-48560-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-39886-4

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