1. Epic & Epic Heroes

2. What Is An Epic? A long story in poem form. An epic has a hero. The epic is the story of the hero’s travels and his fights with monsters.

3. Epic Continued… Epics were originally sung, often to a harp. Epics contain information about the culture that created them: religion, dress, homes, weapons & war, roles of men & women, values, and moral standards. Epics contain clues to what the people who created them feared or did not understand: natural disasters, death, storms, etc.

4. What do they all have in common??

5. Traits of an Epic Hero Has “larger than life” qualities, possibly supernatural powers.

6. Traits of an Epic Hero Is a natural leader of men

7. Traits of an Epic Hero Is appealing to the opposite sex, but rarely has extended relationships.

8. Traits of an Epic Hero Defeats monsters and/or fights gods

9. Traits of an Epic Hero Has “good” on his or her side.

10. Traits of an Epic Hero Often stands alone in battle. Often smarter than other people, generally a problem solver.

11. Traits of an Epic Hero Has a weakness or “fatal flaw” that destroys them/leads to death.

12. Traits of an Epic Hero Makes long journeys, always on the move, travels to find adventure.

13. Traits of an Epic Hero Skilled Fighter

14. The Trojan War Spartan King Menelaus’ wife Helen (the face that launched a thousand ships) left him for the young Prince Paris of Troy. Greeks attacked Troy Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus, led the siege. Odysseus (main character in the Odyssey) was another hero of the war. Odysseus was known not only for being a strong hero, but also for being a wise/smart hero. Another hero, Achilles, died in the final year of the war. Greek forces were victorious!