Calling for a Hero I

In today's definition of a hero is any person who is admired or idealized for courage, brave, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Someone who is willing to risks his or her own life to help someone else. A hero is someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help others. For example the men and women in the armed force fight against terrorism.
The ancients would agree with some parts of that definition but not other stuff. To the ancients a hero fit the following qualities:
Noble: Heroes were of high birth. Often, at least one parent was divine.
Courageous: Heroes didn't show fear in the face of a challenge.
Strong: Heroes possessed great physical strength—in some cases to an almost supernatural degree. 
Bold: Without hesitation, heroes undertook difficult quests, adventures and challenges to prove themselves  
Skillful: Often the skill mastered by heroes was in war but they were expected to excel in some pursuit.
Hospitable: The laws of hospitality were important to the ancients particularly for the Greeks, and heroes were expected to follow them, whether as host or as guest.  
Favored by the god(s): The gods took an interest in heroes—sometimes opposing them and sometimes supporting them. But usually a hero had at least one powerful god or God Almighty on his or her side. Heroes often performed amazing deeds that average joe couldn’t achieve. They were mortal, and they were rewarded by the gods after death by going heaven-like realm or become gods. Heroes, like regular people, have flaws, such as pride, rage, or jealousy. They had to be able to help their friends and allies and vanquish their foes. Anyone fit the requirement?

Here are some Classical and Medieval heroes:

King Leonidas 

Heracles (Hercules) 

Theseus

Beowulf

King Arthur and Sir Lancelot

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

History of Homosexual: Ancient Greece

Seven Wonders of the World: Colossus of Rhodes

Daily life of Roman life: Slavery