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1 Hubris in ancient times

Hubris is a common theme in Greek tragedies and mythology, whose stories often featured protagonists suffering from hubris and subsequently being punished by the gods for it. In Greek law, it most often refers to drunken violence wreaked by aristocrats upon commoners. In poetry and mythology, the word carries the connotation of the perpetrator comparing him/herself as equal to or greater than a/the god/ess/es/s.

There was also a goddess called Hubris (or Hybris), the personification of the above concept, insolence, lack of restraint and instinct. She spent most of her time among mortals.

Greek and Roman mythological characters punished for their hubris:

1. Arachne
2. Bellerophon
3. Chione
4. Cinyras
5. Ephialtes
6. Iasion
7. Marsyas
8. Niobe
9. Otus See Ephialtes/Aloadae
10. Salmoneus
11. Thamyris
12. Jason
13. EuphorbusEuphorbus the son of Panthous, was a Trojan hero during the Trojan War. He wounded Patroclus before Patroclus was killed by Hector. In the fight for Patroclus' body, Euphorbus was killed by Menelaus ( Iliad, xvi-xvii). Menelaus later took Euphorbus' shiel
14. Oedipus the KingOedipus or OElig;dipus less commonly Oidipous was the mythical king of Thebes, son of Laius and Jocasta, who, unknowingly, killed his father and married his mother. Laius once raped one of his students, Chrysippus and was in turn cursed by Pelops, the boy/ Oidipous the King

2 Some ancient sayings

• Those whom the Gods would destroy they first make all powerful.
• Those whom the Gods would destroy they first make proud.

3 Hubris in modern times

While hubris in minor matters is not uncommon, it is particularly dangerous when present in those who control great power. Military organizations have long realized this and many take great care to build in organizational structures and procedural controls to limit its dangers. Such restraints are much looser in the fields of politics, religion, and commerce.

Modern examples of the consequenses of hubris are revealed by studies of recent and current events when measured against expected results earlier stated. In many such cases it is appears that modern hubris is rooted in feelings of cultural, racial, political, and/or economic superiority. Negative consequences of actions stemming from hubris appear to be associated with a lack of knowledge, interest in, and exploration of historyHistory is often used as a generic term for information about the past, such as in "geologic history of the Earth". When used as the name of a field of study, history refers to the study and interpretation of the record of human societies. The term histor, combined with overconfidence and a lack of humilityHumility is the state of being humble . While people may have different ideas about the meaning of humility, a protypical humble person is generally thought to be unpretentious and modest: someone who does not think that he or she is better or more import.

See also:

• ImpietyImpiety is a lack of proper concern for the obligations owed to cult in its proper sense. Impiety was a main pagan objection to Christianity, for unlike other initiates into mystery religions, Christians refused to cast a pinch of incense before the image
• VanityVanity is similar to pride, but it involves an excessive admiration of oneself because of one's real or imaginary skills, talents, accomplishments, or appearance. Pride in physical appearance can border with narcissism. Somebody who boasts much or spends
• Victory diseaseVictory disease happens when a nation / army / commander has military victories and falls for some combination of: arrogance complacency, established patterns of fighting, stereotypes of opponents, and / or ignorance of alternatives or refusal to recogniz