August 19: World Humanitarian Day

“Humanitarian” means “having concerns for” of “help to improve” the welfare of people. Son, not of any concern to the ancient Greeks, who perfected the art of self interest. The Trojan war hero Philoktetes illustrates as much. When he suffered a snake bite that got infected, his agony didn’t bother his companions. But the terrible smell from the wound did. It was the admired Odysseus who suggested to just leave him behind on a desert island. And no one spent another thought about him. Until some nine years later, when the siege of Troy didn’t go anywhere and the captured – or deflected – Trojan seer Helenos foresaw the war could be won with Herakles’ bow. Now, this bow was in the possession of Philoktetes, who had been Herakles’ protégé. When they sailed back to retrieve it, to their suprise, Philoktetes was still alive and still smelly. They reluctantly agreed to bring the bow as well as the man and some skilled surgeon finally took care of his wound. Philoktetes rejoined the fight and even survived it. No thanks to any humanity of his companions.

Philoctetes on Lemnos, James Barry, Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, Italy

Cleansing Philoctetes' Wound, Hoby Treasure, Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen, Denmark

Did you know?

• Philoktetes/Philoctetes had participated in the Argonaut expedition, cfr. “Sail Away”.

• About Odysseus/Ulysses: cfr. “The Lady in Blue”.

• About Helenos/Helenus: cfr. “Widows of War”.

• About Herakles/Hercules: cfr. “Nights in White Satin”.