Geras
/ˈɡɛr.æs/noun
In ancient Greek culture, a geras was an honorific prize or privilege awarded to a respected person, especially a warrior.
Did you know?In the Iliad, Achilles’ geras—his captured war-prize—represented his public honor, so taking it away was treated as a profound spiritual and social humiliation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷerh₂-
“to praise, honor, or welcome”
Proto-Hellenic
Proto-Hellenic
*gerwās
“an honor or mark of distinction”
Archaic Greek
Greek
γέρας (géras)
“an honorific gift or prize”
8th–7th Century BCE
Homeric Greek
γέρας
“a warrior’s allotted prize, carrying recognized status and honor”
Classical Greek
Greek
γέρας
“a privilege, honor, or ceremonial gift”
Modern English
English
geras
“A scholarly English transliteration for the ancient Greek concept of an honor-prize”