Abstract: Whereas the Greek poet Tyrtaeus especially values the virtue of courage in external war, Theogonis emphasizes virtues in civil war. There is an interaction between poets and legislators. But Plato thinks that when constructing political systems, the primary purpose of legislators should not be victory in war and the corresponding virtue to it. Both poets and legislators frequently refer to pleasure and pain, two basic characters of human beings. So both poetry-making and legislation should not merely aim at training people to restrain their pains or trying to please the most, but more important at cultivating people to conquer pleasures and desires courageously. Poetic art should not simply serve to cultivate virtues in wars and politics. It should point to the whole virtue and shape a sound constitution and a good way of life.

Key words: Tyrtaeus, Theogonis, war, poetic art, virtue