An aristeia or aristia (/ˌærɪˈstiːə/; Ancient Greek: ἀριστεία [aristěːaː], "excellence") is a scene in the dramatic conventions of epic poetry as in the Iliad, where a hero in battle has his finest moments (aristos = "best").
[2] This was reflected in the Homeric division between nobility and commoners,[3] and in the regular epic struggles over the armour of the former, once fallen in their aristeia.
Classical hoplite armies, though very different, nevertheless still awarded prizes (aristeia) for individual excellence in action.
[4] Literally, "moment of excellence", aristeiai often coincide with battleground slaughter, and feature one warrior who dominates the battle.
[5] In the film 300, individual Spartan deaths are often portrayed as a Homeric aristeia.