The nature and possible future of heroes is examined in this document. The approach is theoretical to the extent that it explores the nature of heroes in the Western tradition from the Greeks through present-day personalities (including sports, entertainment, political, and literary personalities). The approach is practical to the extent that it synthesizes the literature and creates a typology suitable for use by social studies teachers at both the upper elementary and secondary levels. The main objectives of this paper are to historically explore the idea of heroes, show how types of heroic activity may have changed, and speculate about the possible future of heroes. The paper includes a typology useful in the study of both historical and contemporary figures. Six archetypes--the athlete/cowboy (Homeric), the endowed (tragic), the lover (erotic), the thinker, the comic (Shakespearean), and the rustic--are identified and examined through four social and cultural contexts (personality traits, personal values, the kind of actions engaged in, and view of the world). Individual examples of each archetype are included. (RSL)