On the Path of Heroes

From Greek mythology to King Arthur and Marquis de Lafayette, these heroes share a common formula for success

King Arthur's knights, gathered at the Round Table to celebrate the Pentecost, see a vision of the Holy Grail. This scene is depicted in a 15th-century manuscript of “Lancelot and the Holy Grail.” Wikimedia Commons

Looking back at the past few months, I realize I have been on a search for what it means to be a hero.

I started with Greek mythology, delving into the adventures of heroes like Hercules, Perseus, Theseus, and others like them. I then explored the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. After this dose of literary glory and adventure, I came upon the story of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, one of the heroes of the American Revolution. A close friend of George Washington and a brave and passionate warrior, Lafayette was one of the key people responsible for America’s victory in its War of Independence. It’s no wonder that more than 50 towns and streets in the United States were named after him.