Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Discussion on the subject of hero cults and eventually, the character of Theseus. Participants initially considered how democratic the development and emergence of heroes was for Athens. Professor Gregory Nagy was of the opinion that hero cults are hero cults, which is to say, that they are ultimately kingly figures. Participants were also curious as to whether there would have been a similar worship of a single cult hero in Sparta. Professor Nagy's response was to observe that given the system of dual kingship, this would certainly not have been the case.
The discussion also turned to Theseus who is known for his Athenian lens, so to speak. As both high priest and king of Athens globally and locally, he marks an important figure. This is all the more true when we consider he is the only character in Oedipus who understands and fully controls the story; he is at once the number one hero of Athens and everything belonging to Attica. Professor Nagy and his colleagues explored the significance of the locale particularly when it comes to understanding the Ancient Greek hero; one cannot fully appreciate this figure without knowing the local definition of hero.
Recorded in Spring 2020 during v13 of the MOOC The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hour 24, and responses to the Discussion Question.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
Discussion on the subject of hero cults and eventually, the character of Theseus. Participants initially considered how democratic the development and emergence of heroes was for Athens. Professor Gregory Nagy was of the opinion that hero cults are hero cults, which is to say, that they are ultimately kingly figures. Participants were also curious as to whether there would have been a similar worship of a single cult hero in Sparta. Professor Nagy's response was to observe that given the system of dual kingship, this would certainly not have been the case.
The discussion also turned to Theseus who is known for his Athenian lens, so to speak. As both high priest and king of Athens globally and locally, he marks an important figure. This is all the more true when we consider he is the only character in Oedipus who understands and fully controls the story; he is at once the number one hero of Athens and everything belonging to Attica. Professor Nagy and his colleagues explored the significance of the locale particularly when it comes to understanding the Ancient Greek hero; one cannot fully appreciate this figure without knowing the local definition of hero.
Recorded in Spring 2020 during v13 of the MOOC The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hour 24, and responses to the Discussion Question.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
