Heroes can be a great source of inspiration when the going gets tough. Carefully chosen heroes can remind us of the qualities we should have and why we must fight on. Therefore, it is important to have a few inspirational sources to draw from when needed. One of my favourite sources is history. I love to read about great leaders, men who defied the odds and refused to give up. Their willpower, personal characteristics and motivation are just the thing I need when I am down. I admire many people and characters, but there are few whom I would consider heroes. After careful thought, here are the four that made the cut and the reasons why.
The Wisdom and Prudence of Emperor John II Komnenos (1087-1143)
When John came to power, the Byzantine Empire faced threats on all sides. Not only did he have to defend his Eastern front from the Muslim Turks, he had to keep a watchful eye for threats from the Christian West. Even though the Byzantines were Christian, they were Orthodox and had strained ties with the Catholics. In the face of these problems, John exercised great self-control and prudence. He chose to defend his realm by expanding in a careful and methodical fashion. A realist at heart, he knew his strengths and weaknesses and focused on making careful gains. By the time of his death, his long string of victories had earned him the universal respect of his friends and foes.
But John was not just wise in warfare. His reign itself was mild and just. Even though cruelty was the norm, he never condemned anyone to death or mutilation. As far as he could, he tried to temper his laws with mercy. He also favoured men of ability over his friends and relatives. This ensured that he would always have capable talent to serve him. When it comes to ruling justly and managing power, John is my favourite hero because of his wisdom and prudence.
The Patience and Perseverance of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616)
Tokugawa Ieyasu was the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was the man who brought peace to Japan for 250 years, ending an era of endless war and strife. But when he began his journey as a young man, he was merely a minor warlord. There were many other mighty warlords around who had the power and the ambition to unite the land. During this time, Tokugawa waited. He focused on growing his power and made useful alliances. When he saw that the times were against him, he did not resist and yielded. He knew deep down inside his heart that his time would arrive one day. And when he neared 60, his moment arrived. Most of his foes had died and those that remained, he crushed at the epic battle of Sekigahara. At last, he was the most powerful warlord in the land.
I admire Tokugawa most for his patience and perseverance. Not many would have his wisdom and foresight to endure as long as he did. In fact, few people appreciate patience today. Most of us are in a constant rush. We want things done yesterday. The slightest delay causes us to feel irritated. Whenever I feel annoyed by the slowness of events, I turn to Tokugawa for his patience and perseverance.
The Indomitable Spirit and Resolve of Skanderbeg (1405-1468)
George Kastrioti, also known as, Skanderbeg or Lord Alexander to the Turks was the hero of Albania. No one deserved this title more than he did. For over two decades, this man defended his homeland from the might of the Ottoman Empire, one of the strongest powers of the 15th century. What is stunning about his resistance is that he had very little money or manpower to do so. It was true that he was a great leader. But that alone would not have been enough against the odds. The main reason he could hold off the Ottomans for so long was due to his spirit and resolve. Despite the great odds against him, he refused to give up and carried on his heroic struggle to the very end.
Skanderbeg’s heroic struggle has always been a source of inspiration for me. The man just simply did not know how to quit. Now every time I think of giving up, I recall the struggle of good old George and I resolve to fight on as he did. After all, no matter how bad my problems are, they are nothing compared to what George had to face.
The Boldness and Creativity of Khalid bin al-Walid (592-642)
I have read about many military leaders in history. But none have dazzled me more than Khalid bin al-Walid the Sword of Allah. Simply put, he was one of the greatest general to walk the face of this Earth. More often than not, he faced off against and won foes that outnumbered him greatly. Vital to the rise of Islam in the 600s, his tactics and strategies turned the Arabs from a motley rabble into a fighting force that would dominate the Middle East for centuries. The key behind his genius was his boldness, mobility and speed. He used extreme methods to destroy all the foes he fought.
During its rise, Islam had to struggle against the might of Byzantium and Persia. Both empires however, had just fought a bloody war that left them weakened. Seizing the moment, Khalid attacked with the Arab armies. First, he took on Persia, and then he attacked Byzantium. But even in their weakened state, the armies of Byzantium and Persia were more numerous and better equipped than the Arabs. Unfortunately, neither empire had a leader with the genius of Khalid. Thanks to his creativity and skill, he prevailed against all odds.
Even though I love the Byzantine Empire, I find it hard to dislike Khalid. In fact, it is thrilling to read about the exploits of the Sword of Allah against such titans. His boldness and creativity in the face of great odds has always been a source of inspiration for me.
Each of my heroes has a certain quality I wish to emulate. As and when I need them, I merely have to think of the hero to ignite the qualities I need. Since heroes can have a profound impact on our lives, it is important to choose them wisely. The right ones can lift us up while the wrong ones will bring us down.
Do you have any heroes who inspire you? What qualities do these heroes have that cause you to admire them? Do share your thoughts and comments below.