Important Heros and Heroines in Greek Culture

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Important Heros and Heroines in Greek Culture

Heroes reflect the greatest strengths of the human condition, as well as highlighting the flaws of human nature itself. It is no surprise then that throughout the Greek world are found depictions of heros on various pieces of pottery. These pieces better help to understand what the people of the ancient Greek world were like and which heroic values they felt were worthy of art. When analyzing the art and the stories of such heroes, common themes tend to emerge of what the ancient Greeks thought were heroic values. Values such as valor, strength, and pride are found in these heroes’ stories, however there tends to emerge a theme of devastation threading the stories of the heroes together. These intriguing tales of mythical heroes help to enlighten the mystique of the ancient Greeks.
The Greeks strongly valued their individuality and characteristics that set a person apart from others. The biggest portrayal of this next to the gods themselves are the Greeks heroes. Theseus, who is the founding hero of Athens, is represented slaying the minotaur which saved the Athenians from the tyranny of the Minoans. Theseus is called a Greek hero because he undertook this task, which was a suicide mission but, his drive and cunningness were enough to pull him through this trial and save his people. His heroic acts are honor through society naming the Aegean Sea after his father, Aegeus. Theseus is shown as a man of strength on this piece of pottery. This hero’s tale has a destructive quality when he instigates his second wife suicide because she falls in love with his son. Theseus was a great hero that demonstrated the quintessential principles of Greeks during this time ...

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