IntroductionWho is a hero? In contemporary times, the use of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term "hero" has come to represent a wide variety of individuals, each possessing different traits. Some of the answers my colleagues put forward (during our class discussion on heroism) as to who they consider heroes referred to celebrities, athletes, teachers, and family members. Even though the professions were different, each of their heroes possessed qualities that my comrades perceived as extraordinary, both morally and physically. However, Webster's defines "hero" as "a person admired for great or courageous acts or fine qualities." Thus, it should be considered that individuals become heroes in relation to the situation they face. Using the above definition of hero and heroism, this essay attempts to evaluate three famous heroic figures depicted in arguably the three greatest literary epics known to mankind. , Achilles of ancient Greece, Sundiata Keita of ancient Mali, and Rama of Ayodhya in what is now modern India. With reference to Stanley Lombardo's translation of Homer's Iliad, DT Niane's Sundiata and RK Narayan's translation of Valmiki's Ramayana, this essay seeks to compare and contrast the attributes of these heroes, the morality associated with their heroism and the reasons why they engage in battle. The army's greatest warrior during the Trojan War, Achilles was born to the goddess Thetis and the mortal Peleus. (Murnaghan, 1997, p.xxv) “Strong, fast and divine”, as Lombardo says translating Homer (1997, p.5), his presence on the battlefield struck fear into his enemies. Being a general of the Achaean army, his initial logic as to his engagement...... middle of paper ......ry characteristics that ultimately shaped the outcome of their campaigns. Although they used different morals and approaches in some cases, they were successful in their fight. Moreover, their attitudes also highlighted the characteristics of their cultures. The mutiny of Achilles as well as the humility of Sundiata and Rama indicate what constituted the code of ethics in each culture. However, the trios are each a heroic representation of their respective cultures, thus leading to the conclusion that heroes are born based on the situation they face. Works cited by Homer (1997). Iliad. (S. Lombardo, Trans.). Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. Narayan, R.K. and Kampar. (2006). The Ramayana: an abridged modern prose version of the Indian epic (suggested by Kamban's Tamil version). New York: Penguin Books. PDF eBook. Niane, D. (2006). Sundiata. Harlow: Longman.