Throughout history, writers use figurative language to help readers understand their texts and bring their text to life. In ancient Greece, figurative speech was a crucial element in literature. Poets such as Sappho use word pictures to make poems "emotionally intense," while others such as Archillocus use shields to mock war. Callinus uses similes to defend heroism, and Homer and Sophocles use imagery to help the audience imagine the action. Therefore, many Greek writings reflect the society during that time, especially by using figurative language.

Although only one of Callinus' poems survived, this poem is significant in understanding the values of the ancient Greeks. His poem "A Call to Arms," translated by Richmond Lattimore, intensely expresses honor, bravery and heroism. Callinus criticizes those who are afraid of death; he claims it "will come when the spinning/Destinies make it come." (Callinus 8-9) Callinus...