Why were Heroes popular in myths and Greek culture?

Greek heroes were popular because they represented the ideals of that time such as strength, bravery, honor, leadership, loyalty, wisdom and charisma.

Their stories often included facing impossible challenges, representing the human struggle against fate, nature, social dishonesty and even the gods themselves.

Greek heroes, demi-gods and famous individuals

Greek heroes were extraordinary individuals who possessed great skills and strength or they simply stood out of the rest of the people by their ingenuity, intelligence, wisdom and charisma. Many stories were both told and written by Greeks about each of these exceptional characters.

Favoured by Gods

It is true that some of these heroes had an advantage of being born with divine qualities. They are called demi-gods or in modern term semi-gods, because one of their parents were a god or a goddess. However, mortal heroes were no less respected than semi-gods. Some of the mortals even exceeded semi-gods in terms of bravery and reputation. Regardless of their origin, these heroes accomplished many great tasks and even tasks thought being impossible to accomplish. Because of the deeds, they had done and helping humanity to progress, they were favoured by the gods. If enough favours were gained or devotion showed, the gods would even help the heroes by either giving them wisdom or intervening themselves with their powers.

Semi-gods
Achilles
achilles

Greek hero with only one weakness; His (Achilles') heel

Bellerophon
bellerophon

Famous hero, known for riding Pegasus and slaying Chimera

Heracles
heracles

The strongest and the most famous hero of all

Orion
orion

Giant hunter who has been risen among stars

Perseus
perseus

Famous hero who defeated Medusa and Ethiopian Cetus

Theseus
theseus

Slayer of Minotaur and founder of Athens' first democracy

Mortals
Agamemnon
agamemnon

King of Mycenae who became the leader of Greeks in Trojan war

Atalanta
atalanta

Great huntress and impressive athlete of noble character

Cadmus
cadmus

Hero of Phoenician origin who brought first alphabet to the Greeks

Daedalus
daedalus

Great craftsman and inventor, known for building the labyrinth

Jason
jason

Leader of the Argonauts in their quest to obtain the golden fleece

Odysseus
odysseus

Famous hero of the Iliad and the Odyssey