The Making of a Hero

Many of the world's most surviving myths and legends involve a hero, a man or woman who triumphs by overcoming formidable obstacles. Heroes are not like Gods all powerful and immortal beings. Instead they possess the best of human attributes, demonstrating great strength, courage, wisdom and devotion to the Gods in their culture.

Not all heroes possess all these qualities. From many cultures come different and various types of heroes with a wide assortment of talents and virtues.

The civilization of ancient Greece admired strong warrior heroes; in the mythology of Egyptians religion was a major influence of the society and the heroes were often magicians. Some civilizations showed women as heroes by using their intelligence or intuition to outwit an enemy.

Some heroes of myth and legends are historical figures who have become legendary heroes by writers or their society.

Myths and legends from around the world have pinpointed a pattern that appears throughout myths that is the story of the hero who gains new knowledge or abilities. Often the birth of such heroes is from their parentage which is supernatural in nature; they may be demigods.

A quest, a difficult task, journeys and adventures have to be overcome to achieve a goal or earn a reward. Leaving their normal life, the hero finds challenges voyages in the magical or the supernatural world. A hero may even confront death himself.

Heroes must use strength and cleverness to defeat enemies, monsters, or demons; some are often aided by deity or magician. At the end of their mission the hero returns home with enhanced powers, wisdom and treasures.

The hero' quests of many myths and legends are a key part, not all heroes follow the quest pattern. The hero on a quest or journey appears in many myths, and legends. Greek mythology has many heroes who go on quests; Odysseus, Orpheus, Jason, and Hercules who are a few well known. Odysseus attempting to return home after the Trojan War has an adventure filled voyage which takes ten years. The musician Orpheus descends into the underworld in his quest to bring his beloved Eurydice back from death. Jason sails to distant lands in search of the Golden Fleece. The mighty Hercules has to overcome Twelve Labors and may quests.

Some heroes because of their outstanding skills in combat are known as possessing heroic status. In myths about the Trojan War, the warriors Ajax and Achilles fight courageously and the Amazon queen Penthesilea leads her soldiers against the Greek army.

Some figures in mythology earned their hero status as renowned rulers. King Arthur, may have been a historical figure but rose to the status of a hero of great stature. Africa has celebrated kingly heroes. Shaka, a leader of the Zulu people of southern Africa, assembled a huge army and established a great empire in the early 1800s.

Heroes exist in cultures throughout the world and have strong influences on religion and traditional beliefs.  Whether they are considered demigods, superhuman or men and women who have progressed over time to hero fame the stories of heroes continues to be told through athletes, soldiers, and average citizens who come to the aid of the helpless.