GLOSSARY OF HELLENIC HEROES

THE GLOSSARY OF THE HELLENIC HEROES

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GLOSSARY OF THE HEROES

NOTE: A list of abbreviations can be found on this page: GLOSSARY HOME.

Ǽpæa - (epea; Gr. Ἔπεα, ΕΠΕΑ) Ǽpæa is Epic Poetry, the poems telling the stories of the great Íroæs (Gr. Ἥρωες), the Heroes; the word is the plural form of ἔπος. (See L&S p. 676, ἔπος def. IV.) Cf. Ǽpos and Æpopiía.

Æpopiía - (Epopoiïa; Gr. Ἐποποιία, ΕΠΟΠΟΙΙΑ) Æpopiía is Epic Poetry.

- Lexicon entry: ἐποποιία, Ep. ἐποποιίη, ἡ, epic poetry or an epic poem. II. divination by means of Homeric verses. (L&S p. 676, left column.) Cf. Ǽpæa.

Ǽpos - (epos; Gr. ἔπος, ΕΠΟΣ. Plural is ἔπεα.) Ǽpos means word, utterance, a song or hymn. The plural form, Ǽpæa (Gr. Ἔπεα), is Epic Poetry, and, of course, the epic poems were written about the Íroæs (Gr. Ἥρωες), the Heroes. (See L&S p. 676, ἔπος def. IV.) Cf. Ǽpæa.

Agóhn - (Agon; Gr. ἀγών, ΑΓΩΝ, Plural αγώνες) Agóhn means contest, game, or competition. Here we are speaking of games not as an entertainment, but games as a religious offering, as in the familiar pan-Hellenic Olympian games (for Zefs; Gr. Ζεύς) or the Pythian games (for Apóllohn; Gr. Ἀπόλλων) Games. These were games conducted as a gift to the God, for which one competed for an áthlon (prize; Gr. ἆθλον). Agóhnæs (agones; Gr. αγώνες, plural of Agóhn) were conducted at all major shrines for deities. The contests were athletic, but could also be musical or poetic. Agóhnæs were also conducted at the funerary proceedings of Íroæs (Gr. Ἥρωες), Heroes. Agóhn, which also means a struggle, is the etymological root for the English word agony.

- Lexicon entry: ἀγών [ᾰ], ῶνος, ὁ:—gathering, assembly: esp. assembly met to see games. 2. place of contest, lists, course. II. assembly of the Greeks at the national games:— hence, contest for a prize at the games. III. generally, struggle. 2. battle, action. 3. action at law, trial. 4. speech delivered in court or before an assembly or ruler. b. Rhet., main argument of a speech. 5. metaph. 6. mental struggle, anxiety. b. of speakers, vehemence, power. IV. personified, Ἀγών, divinity of the contest. (L&S p. 18, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Aidóhs - (aidos; Gr. αἰδώς, ΑΙΔΩΣ) Aidóhs is the sense of shame which compels us to follow our conscience.

- Lexicon entry: αἰδώς, όος, contr. οῦς, η (late nom. pl. αἰδοί), as a moral feeling, reverence, awe, respect for the feeling or opinion of others or for one's own conscience, and so shame, self-respect, sense of honour; sobriety, moderation. 2. regard for others, respect, reverence; regard for friends; esp. regard for the helpless, compassion; forgiveness. II. that which causes shame or respect, and so, 1. shame, scandal. 2. = τὰ αἰδοῖα. 3. dignity, majesty.III. Αἰδώς personified, Reverence. (L&S p. 36, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Anthrohpodaimohn - (Anthropodaemon; Gr. Ἀνθρωποδαίμων, ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΔΑΙΜΩΝ) The Anthrohpodaimohn is a soul who was previously mortal, but which has been deified. The Íroæs (Heroes) are said to be between men (ἄνθρωπος) and daimohnæs (daemons; Gr. δαίμονες, plural), therefore, an Írohs (Hero) is about to become an Anthrohpodaimohn.

- Lexicon entry: ἀνθρωποδαίμων, ονος, ὁ, ἡ, man-God, i.e. deified man. (L&S p. 141, right column, within the entries beginning ἀνθρωποβορέω, starting from the left column.)

Antíthæos - (antitheos; Gr. ἀντίθεος, ΑΝΤΙΘΕΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ἀντίθεος, η, ον, equal to the Gods, godlike (cf. S.E.M.7.6): Homeric epith. of heroes, Il.5.663, etc.; of nations, ib.12.408, Od.6.241; of women, only ib.11.117; applied even to Polyphemus and the suitors, ib.1.70, 14.18; ἥρωες ἀ. II. contrary to God. 2. Subst. ἀντίθεος, ὁ, hostile deity (unless Adj., disguised as a God).

Arætí - (Arete; Gr. Ἀρετή, ΑΡΕΤΗ) Arætí is Virtue. Please visit this page: Arætí.

Aristeia - (Gr. ἀριστεῖα, ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΑ) Aristeia is the achievement of a great success in the life of an Írohs (Hero; Gr. Ἥρως), a manifestation of his being áristos, the best.

- Lexicon entry: ἀριστεῖα [ᾰρ], Ion. ἀριστήϊα, τά, the meed (ed. deserved reward) of valour. 2. in sg., monument of valour, memorial. (L&S p. 240, right column, edited for simplicity.)

- Cf. Áristos.

Áristos - (Gr. ἄριστος, ΑΡΙΣΤΟΣ) Áristos means the best.

- Lexicon entry: ἄριστος [ᾰ], η, ον, best in its kind, and so in all sorts of relations, serving as superlative (ed. highest degree) of ἀγαθός: I. of persons, 1. best in birth and rank, noblest: hence, like ἀριστεύς, a chief. 2. best in any way, bravest. 3. morally best. 4. best, most useful. II. of animals, things, etc., best, finest. III. neut. pl. as Adv., ἄριστα best, most excellently; ἄριστά γε, in answers, well said!. (L&S p. 241, right column, edited for simplicity.)

- Cf. Aristeia.

Athlitís - (athlete; Gr. ἀθλητής, ΑΘΛΗΤΗΣ) The Athlitís is a participant in an Áthlos, i.e., a heroic contest.

- Lexicon entry: ἀθλητής, contr. from ἀεθλητής, οῦ, o :— combatant, champion; esp. in games; of Christian martyrs.2. as Adj. II. c. gen. rei, practised in, master of. (L&S p. 32, right column, within the entries beginning with ἀθλεύω, edited for simplicity.)

Áthlon - (Gr. ἆθλον, ΑΘΛΟΝ) The áthlon is the prize of a contest, as in games played in honor of a God or the death of an Írohs (Gr. Ἥρως), Hero. Áthlon is the etymological root of the English word athlete.

- Lexicon entry: ἆθλον, τό, Att. contr. from Ep., Ion., Lyr. ἄεθλον (which alone is used by Hom. and Hdt., mostly also by Pi.):— prize of contest. II. = ἆθλος, contest, only in pl. III. in pl., place of combat. IV. Astrol., = κλῆρος (ed. certain degrees in the zodiac connected with planets and important in a nativity). (L&S p. 32, right column, edited for simplicity.)

- Cf. Áthlos.

Áthlos - (Gr. ἆθλος, ΑΘΛΟΣ) Áthlos is a heroic contest.

- Lexicon entry: ἆθλος, ὁ, contr. from Ep. and Ion. ἄεθλος, which alone is used by Hom. (except in Od.8.160), and mostly by Hdt. and Pi.:— contest either in war or sport, esp. contest for a prize; of the labours of Heracles: metaph., conflict, struggle, ordeal. II. = ἆθλον 1, Theoc.8.11sqq.—On the proper difference of ἆθλον and ἆθλος v. ἆθλον 11. (L&S p. 32, right column at the very bottom, edited for simplicity.)

- Cf. Áthlon.

Díki - (Dike; Gr. Δίκη, ΔΙΚΗ) Díki is Justice.

- Lexicon Entry: δίκη [ῐ], ἡ, custom, usage; normal course of nature: hence, 2. adverb. in acc. δίκην, in the way of, after the manner of. II. order, right; personified; Truth. 2. δίκη ἐστί, = δίκαιόν ἐστι. 3. Adverb. usages, δίκῃ duly, rightly. III. judgement, δίκην ἰθύντατα εἰπεῖν give judgement most righteously. IV. after Hom., of proceedings instituted to determine legal rights. V. Pythag. name for three, Plu.2.381f, Theol.Ar.12; for five, ib.31. (L&S p. 430, left column, edited for simplicity.)

- See also the Glossary entry for Díki.

Dóxa - (Gr. Δόξα, ΔΟΞΑ) Dóxa is usually translated as belief or opinion, but in connection with the Íroæs, Dóxa is glory.

- Lexicon entry (see definition IV): δόξᾰ, ἡ, expectation. II. after Hom., notion, opinion, judgement, whether well grounded or not. 2. mere opinion, conjecture. 3. fancy, vision. III. the opinion which others have of one, estimation, repute. 2. mostly, good repute, honour, glory. (L&S p. 444, right column, edited for simplicity.)

- for a more complete understanding of this word, find the Glossary entry for Dóxa.

Efkleia - (Eucleia; Gr. Εὐκλεία, ΕΥΚΛΕΙΑ) Lexicon entry: εὔκλειᾰ, ἡ, εὐκλείᾱ metrigr.:— good repute, glory. (L&S p. 718, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Epea - See Ǽpæa.

Epic Poetry - See Ǽpæa.

Epos - See Ǽpos.

Eris - See Ǽris.

Hemitheos - See Imíthæos.

Hero - See Írohs.

Heroa - See Iróa.

Heroine - See Iroíni.

Iroíni (Heroine; Ἡρωίνη, ΗΡΩΙΝΗ) Lexicon entry: ἡρωίνη [ῑ], ἡ, fem. of ἥρως, heroine. (L&S p. 778, right column, within the entries beginning ἡρωίαμβος from the previous column, edited for simplicity.)

Heroïsmos - See Iroïsmós.

Heroölogia - See Iroöloyía.

Heroön - See Iróön.

Heroös - See Iróös.

Imíthæos - (Hemitheos; Gr. Ἡμίθεος, ΗΜΙΘΕΟΣ) Imíthæos is a Demigod. II. Pythagorean name for five. (L&S p. 772, left column, within the entries beginning ἡμιαμϕόριον from the previous page, edited for simplicity.)

Imíthnitos - (emithnetus; Gr. ἡμίθνητος, ΗΜΙΘΝΗΤΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ἡμίθνητος, ον, half-mortal, of the Dioscuri. 2. half-dead. (L&S p. 772, almost at the end of the left column all of which are words beginning with ημι-, edited for simplicity.)

Iróa - (Heroa; Gr. Ἡρῷα, ΗΡΩΑ) An Iróa is a festival of a hero. See Iróön.

Írohs - (Hero; Gr. Ἥρως, ΗΡΩΣ; usually Ἥρῳ, poet. dat. sg. of Ἥρως: Ἥρω, gen. and acc. of same. The plural is Ἥρωες)

- Lexicon entry: ἥρως, ὁ (also ἡ in signf. 111), gen. ἥρωος (ἥρως codd. in Od.6.303, fort. leg. ἥρω?~Xος); also:—hero. 2. the Fourth Age of men, between δαίμονες and ἄνθρωποι. 3. heroes, as objects of worship; esp. of local deities, founders of cities, patrons of tribes; of historical persons to whom divine honours were paid, as Brasidas at Amphipolis. II. later,= μακαρίτης, deceased. (L&S p. 778, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Iroïsmós - (Heroïsmos; Gr. Ἡρωισμός, ΗΡΩΙΣΜΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ἡρωισμός, ὁ, worship of heroes. (L&S p. 778, right column at the very top of the page, within the entries beginning ἡρωίαμβος from the previous column, edited for simplicity.)

Iroöloyía - (Heroölogia; Ἡρωολογία, ΗΡΩΟΛΟΓΙΑ) Lexicon entry: ἡρωολογία, ἡ, tale of heroes, title of work by Anaximander. (L&S p. 778, right column.)

Iróön (Heroön; Gr. Ἡρῷον, ΗΡΩΟΝ) The Iróön is a shrine of an Írohs (Hero; Gr. Ἥρως), a demi-God.

- Lexicon entry: ἡρῷον, Ion. ἡρώϊον, τό, 1. (sc. ἱερόν or ἕδος) shrine of a hero. 2. tomb:—in form ἡρώειον. 3. (sc. μέτρον) hexameter, Plu.Num.4, etc. 4. ἡρῷα (sc. ἱερά), τά, festival of a hero. (L&S p. 778, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Iróös - (heroös; Gr. ἡρῷος, ΗΡΩΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ἡρῷος, α, ον, contr. for ἡρώϊος (q.v.); ὁ ἡ. (sc. ῥυθμός) the heroic measure, hexameter. (L&S p. 778, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Isóthæos - (Gr. Ἰσόθεος, ΙΣΟΘΕΟΣ) Isóthæos means equal to the Gods, godlike, of heroes. (L&S p. 837, right column at the very bottom of the page, within the entries beginning ἰσοθάνατος.)

Klǽos - (Gr. κλέος, ΚΛΕΟΣ) Klǽos is associated with the fame acquired by the Íroæs, especially as promulgated by the pitǽs (poets; Gr. ποιητές) in æpopiía (epic poetry; Gr. ἐποποιία) and mythoyía (mythology; Gr. μυθολογία).

- Lexicon entry: κλέος, τό, Dor. Κλέϝος. rumour, report. II. Good report, fame. 2. rarely in bad sense. (L&S p. 958, left column.) Cf. Dóxa and Timí.

Mægalítohr - (megaletor; Gr. μεγαλήτωρ, ΜΕΓΑΛΗΤΩΡ) μεγαλήτωρ (ἦτορ): great-hearted, proud. (Autenrieth)

Thæoeikælos - (theoeicelus; Gr. θεοείκελος, ΘΕΟΕΙΚΕΛΟΣ. Adjective.) Thæoeikælos is an adjective applied to the heroes meaning godlike.

- Lexicon entry: θεοείκελος, ον, godlike, of Achilles, Il.1.131; of Telemachus, Od.3.416; of Hector and Andromache. (L&S p. 790, left column, within the entries beginning with θεοδέγμων, edited for simplicity.)

Thæógonos - (Theogonos; Gr. θεόγονος, ΘΕΟΓΟΝΟΣ) Lexicon entry: θεόγονος, ον, born of God, divine. (L&S p. 790, left column, within the entries beginning with Θεογονία, edited for simplicity.)

Thǽortos - (theortus; Gr. θέορτος, ΘΕΟΡΤΟΣ. Adjective.) Lexicon entry: θέορτος, ον, (ὄρνυμαι) sprung from the Gods. (L&S p. 791, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Timí - (timë; Gr. τιμή, ΤΙΜΗ) Timí is honor accorded to Gods and Heroes.

- Lexicon entry: τῑμή, ἡ, (τίω, v. ad fin.) worship, esteem, honour, and in pl. honours, such as are accorded to Gods or to superiors, or bestowed (whether by Gods or men) as a reward for services. 2. honour, dignity, lordship, as the attribute of Gods or kings. (L&S p. 1793, right column, within the entries beginning τιμέω, edited for simplicity.)

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.

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