For a young person to gain courage and to lead well, it is helpful to learn the wisdom of the past. Edmund Burke, the great conservative British statesman, said, “People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.” Reading the West’s history and ancient stories provides great benefits.
Every civilization has ancient stories, some of which are historical and others mythic. Many of the West’s ancient stories come from Greece and Rome. The Greco-Roman stories include tales of gods and heroes, such as Prometheus’ gift of fire to humanity, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Hercules’ labors and battles against the giants. They are enjoyable to read.
The Greeks regarded physical strength, heroism in war, and hospitality as moral virtues. They also recognized the sacredness of one’s word, work, marriage, family, and city. They believed in a supernatural world, sin, and the need for atonement.
Many lessons can be learned: curiosity does not always lead to a good end (Pandora’s box); a happy marriage requires more than physical attraction and emotional attachment (Jason and Medea); individual human dignity matters (Procrustes’ bed); feelings and desires are not always legitimate and often lead to bad ends (Siren’s call); and the road to greatness requires enormous self-sacrifice (Hercules’ labors).
Roger Lancelyn Green’s Tales of the Greek Heroes is a valuable resource for young people. By his admission, it is a simple retelling of the ancient stories. He weaves them into a unified narrative, remaining faithful to the originals, except for minor additions, which he notes.
Lastly, these stories provide the context for two of the most famous Greek tales about the Trojan War and the return of one of its heroes: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
