HERO, in Pagan mythology, a great and illuſtrious perſon, of a mortal nature, though ſuppoſed by the populace to partake of immortality, and after his death to be placed among the number of the gods. The word is formed of the Latin heros, and that of the Greek ἥρως ſemi-deus, "demi-god."—The Greeks erected columns and other monuments over the tombs of their heroes, and eſtabliſhed a kind of worſhip in honour of the manes both of their heroes and heroines. The Romans alſo raiſed ſtatues in honour of their heroes; but there were ſix of their heroes of a ſuperior order, and who were ſuppoſed to be admitted into the community of the twelve great gods: theſe were Hercules, Bacchus, Eſculapius, Romulus, Caſtor, and Pollux. Writers have diſtinguiſhed between the worſhip which the ancients paid to their heroes and that offered to their gods. The latter, it is ſaid, conſiſted of ſacrifices and libations; the former was only a kind of funeral honour, in which they celebrated their exploits, concluding the rehearsal with feaſts.