kleos

Kleos is a term from ancient Greek literature referring to the glory, fame, or renown that a person earns through notable deeds, especially in war. Its etymology is linked to what is heard or spoken about a person; while the exact linguistic origin is debated, kleos is generally understood as the reputation proclaimed through songs, stories, and communal memory.

In Homer and other archaic epics, kleos acts as a driving force for heroes. It is depicted as lasting beyond a person’s life—the renown passed down in oral tradition by bards. Heroes seek to acquire kleos by performing extraordinary acts, often accepting risk or death so that their deeds will be recalled. The concept sits in tension with bios, or life, highlighting a contrast between living long and living on in the words of others. The idea is sometimes paired with aphthiton, meaning undying or unfading—kleos aphthiton.

Within the epic tradition, kleos is transmitted through speech: deeds are recounted in songs that travel across generations, shaping communal memory and identity. It operates as a form of social currency as well as personal achievement; a hero’s fame is validated by recognition from others and by the continued telling of his exploits.

In modern scholarship, kleos remains central to discussions of the Greek heroic code, the relationship between fame and mortality, and the ethics of risk-taking in pursuit of honor. The term appears in poetry and literary studies as a way to describe fame earned through notable action and enduring reputation.