Heroes

Heroes were, in the Homeric period, the kings, princes, generals, leaders, all brave warriors, and men who excelled in strength, courage, wisdom, and experience. Many of these had, on account of such qualities, a fabled origin, half human, half divine, and were honoured after their death with a kind of adoration or inferior worship. These heroes and demigods were recognised as the special patrons or protectors of particular countries, cities, or families, as the Pelopidæ, Atridæ, &c., and temples and altars were raised to them. Poetry exalted the heroic sentiment to sublimity; and poems which celebrate the deeds of heroes are themselves termed heroic. The imaginary time when heroes and other semi-divine beings lived on earth was called the Heroic Age.