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What is a Hero?


            Hero is a noun commonly used across society today, and it means much more then this word represents. Everyone has heard of a hero at some point in his or her life, whether it is Superman or the Power Puff Girls. Hero, a Latin word from the fourteenth century is defined in the Webster's College Dictionary as a mythological or legendary figure, often of divine descent and endowed with great strength or ability. Throughout time, the definition of hero has changed tremendously, from being imaginary and strong to being firemen and policemen after September eleventh. Even my definition of a hero might not be the same as it used to be when I was younger.
             Heroes can be actual people, imaginary ancestors, or even ancient gods and goddesses. One may look up to firefighters and policemen who risked their lives to save others in the September 11th tragedy. After this dreadful day the word hero came into a whole new perspective. The firefighters and policemen roaming through the dark, dusty, collapsed building put their lives on the line to save the men, women, and children that were left amongst the remains of the Twin Towers. Without thinking twice they pulled as many as they could to safety. Most people would not go out of their way and put themselves in danger to help people they didn't know. These lifesavers on that sad day of grief are true heroes.
             In Greek mythology, famous persons were worshipped after death as quasi-divine. Blood sacrifices were performed at night at the supposed place of the hero's burial tomb. There are three distinct heroes that are thought of in Greek mythology: Odysseus, Achilles, and Hercules. Hercules was known as the strongest and swiftest man ever to walk the earth. He performed nearly twelve impossible tasks and was also considered the perfect athlete. Achilles was the son of Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, and of the Sea Nymph Thetis, who rendered him invulnerable, except for the heel by which she held him as he was dipped in the river Styx.


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