The purpose of this research is to examine the origin of heroes /Great men idea in history and the role of heroes / great men in history and education. The research is a compilation study in which the literature on the subject is synthesized and conceptualized. The role of the heroes in history thought and education was determined in the research. According to this, the role of heroes in history though, and education in ancient civilizations was to entertain people (Heroes who entertain). From ancient times to the Middle Ages, another role of heroes in history and education is common ancestry and religion (heroes for common origin and religious heroes). The aim of heroic sheik' stories in Islam and the heroic saint stories in Christianity was mostly religious education. Also, heroic origin / shared sense of ancestry provided legitimacy to the ruling elites (legitimate heroes). With the development of Eurocentric approaches in the XVIII and XIX centuries, heroes who contributed to science, art, and progress were seen only in Western Europe (Europeanized heroes). The defences of the Eastern societies against these unfounded attacks of the Europeans were also carried out by their heroes (defending heroes). Another aspect of the XIX century was the formation of nationalism and national identities. The heroes who best reflect national identities entered in history thought and education (National heroes). However, in the development of national heroes, struggle against European heroes of Eurocentrism, besides nationalism, provided a separate motivation. The other case in this context is citizenship. For citizenship, heroes were used in history and education (Heroic citizens). Another role is both promote and discredit heroes according to different political propaganda purposes (heroes for political propaganda). Moreover, in the XIX century, heroes were theorized to provide a coincidental cause, unlike social structures (heroes for chance causes). Thus, the heroes provide to chance causes. In the twentieth century, heroes who entertained the past entered popular history publications (heroes who entertained popular history publications). On the other hand, thanks to the different orientations in historiography, women also became heroes (female heroes). In history education, however, traditional historical heroes have become famous heroes and superheroes such as sportsmen, footballers, singers, Batman, Superman (Popular heroes and superheroes). Another heroic role that has not changed from day to day is their use in ethic and value education (Educational heroes).