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| ==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. |
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| 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]]. |
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| *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. |
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| *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. |
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− | *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. |
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− | 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]]''''' |
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| [[Category: Mythology]] | | [[Category: Mythology]] |