Perseus with the Head of Medusa

Heroes and Troy

Heroes

Perseus, Heracles, Theseus, Oedipus, Jason and Medea

Greek heroes are mortals, often half-divine, who win fame by killing monsters, finishing impossible tasks and outwitting fate. Their stories are also warnings: the same strength and pride that make a hero often destroy him or those he loves.

  • Monster-slaying gave rulers a ready image of order defeating chaos.
  • Heracles became a model of virtue chosen over pleasure.
  • Later artists turned to the darker heroes: Oedipus, Jason and Medea.
Hero
In Greek usage, a figure of the age of legend, often the child of a god, honoured with cult after death.
Apotheosis
Being raised to the status of a god, as Heracles was after his death.

Works in this part

Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC0

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