Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[[Latin]] heros, from Greek hērōs

[[Latin]] heros, from Greek hērōs

The [[literal]] [[meaning]] of the [[word]] is "protector" or "defender" and etymologically it is [[thought]] to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of [[marriage]]; the postulated [[original]] forms of these [[words]] being *ἥρϝως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the [[Latin ]] verb servo ([[original]] [[meaning]]: to preserve [[whole]]) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Indo-European_root proto-Indo-European] [[root]] is unclear.

The [[literal]] [[meaning]] of the [[word]] is "protector" or "defender" and etymologically it is [[thought]] to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of [[marriage]]; the postulated [[original]] forms of these [[words]] being *ἥρϝως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the [[Latin ]] verb servo ([[original]] [[meaning]]: to preserve [[whole]]) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Indo-European_root proto-Indo-European] [[root]] is unclear.

According to the ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', the Indo-European root is '''''ser''' ''[[meaning]] "to protect". According to Eric Partridge in Origins, the [[Greek]] word Hērōs "is akin to" the [[Latin]] seruāre, [[meaning]] to safeguard. Partridge concludes, "The basic sense of both Hera and hero would therefore be 'protector'."

According to the ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', the Indo-European root is '''''ser''' ''[[meaning]] "to protect". According to Eric Partridge in Origins, the [[Greek]] word Hērōs "is akin to" the [[Latin]] seruāre, [[meaning]] to safeguard. Partridge concludes, "The basic sense of both Hera and hero would therefore be 'protector'."

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Heroism''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Heroism '''''this link'''''].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Heroism''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Heroism '''''this link'''''].</center>

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1. A name given (as in [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer Homer]) to men of superhuman strength, [[courage]], or [[ability]], favored by the [[gods]]; at a later time regarded as intermediate between gods and men, and [[immortal]].

*1. A name given (as in [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer Homer]) to men of superhuman strength, [[courage]], or [[ability]], favored by the [[gods]]; at a later time regarded as intermediate between gods and men, and [[immortal]].

*2. A man distinguished by extraordinary [[Courage|valor]] and martial [[achievements]]; one who does brave or [[noble]] deeds; an illustrious warrior.

*2. A man distinguished by extraordinary [[Courage|valor]] and martial [[achievements]]; one who does brave or [[noble]] deeds; an illustrious warrior.

*3. A man who exhibits extraordinary bravery, firmness, fortitude, or greatness of [[soul]], in any [[course]] of [[action]], or in [[connection]] with any pursuit, [[work]], or [[enterprise]]; a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities.

*3. A man who exhibits extraordinary bravery, firmness, fortitude, or greatness of [[soul]], in any [[course]] of [[action]], or in [[connection]] with any pursuit, [[work]], or [[enterprise]]; a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities.

*4. The man who forms the subject of an [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic epic]; the chief male personage in a [[poem]], [[Drama|play]], or [[story]]; he in whom the interest of the story or plot is [[centered]].

*4. The man who forms the subject of an [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic epic]; the chief male personage in a [[poem]], [[Drama|play]], or [[story]]; he in whom the interest of the story or plot is [[centered]].

==Description==

==Description==

A '''hero''' (hera or heroine in [[female]]) (Ancient [[Greek]]: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek [[mythology]] and folklore, was [[originally]] a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demigod demigod], their [[cult]] being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek [[religion]]. Later, hero ([[male]]) and heroine ([[female]]) came to refer to [[characters]] who, in the face of [[danger]] and [[adversity]] or from a position of weakness, display [[courage]] and the [[will]] for self [[sacrifice]] – that is, heroism – for some greater [[good]], originally of martial [[courage]] or excellence but extended to more general [[moral]] excellence.

A '''hero''' (hera or heroine in [[female]]) (Ancient [[Greek]]: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek [[mythology]] and folklore, was [[originally]] a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demigod demigod], their [[cult]] being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek [[religion]]. Later, hero ([[male]]) and heroine ([[female]]) came to refer to [[characters]] who, in the face of [[danger]] and [[adversity]] or from a position of weakness, display [[courage]] and the [[will]] for self [[sacrifice]] – that is, heroism – for some greater [[good]], originally of martial [[courage]] or excellence but extended to more general [[moral]] excellence.

Stories of heroism may serve as [[moral]] examples. In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity classical antiquity], hero cults – veneration of deified heroes such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles Heracles], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus Perseus], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles Achilles] – played an important role in Ancient Greek [[religion]]. Politicians, ancient and modern, have employed hero [[worship]] for their own [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis apotheosis] (i.e., [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality cult of personality]).[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero]

Stories of heroism may serve as [[moral]] examples. In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity classical antiquity], hero cults – veneration of deified heroes such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles Heracles], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus Perseus], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles Achilles] – played an important role in Ancient Greek [[religion]]. Politicians, ancient and modern, have employed hero [[worship]] for their own [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis apotheosis] (i.e., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality cult of personality]).[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Champion]]'''''

*'''''[[Champion]]'''''

[[Category: Mythology]]

[[Category: Mythology]]