Great men and women who have overcome their opponents through bravery and willpower or steadfastness and cunning, are regularly celebrated as role models in the poetry of antiquity. Their peers are the heroes of the Old Testament, obedient servants of their god Yahweh, champions of their people: Abraham, who wants to sacrifice his son Isaac, or Judith who triumphs over the Assyrian commander Holofernes. Biblical archetypes are followed by the Christian saints: They, too, are heroes (athletae Christi) and demonstrate this through the steadfast, devout suffering of their martyrdom.
