Seasonal Hero Cycle: The Spring Hero

This series looks at a new civilisation cycle theory I’ve been developing called the Seasonal Hero Cycle. You can read the introduction here.

Here is a reminder of the Seasonal Heroic Cycle:

The Spring Hero is the archetype who sets the cycle going.  They set up a new civilisation or bring new vitality to a dying one, establishing it through conquest.  They are a visionary who inspires a culture to expand and seek out new territory, both physically and meta-physically.  And they lead the people in confidence to take that new ground.

The greatest Spring Hero in antiquity is Alexander the Great. 

He began conquering at the age of 20 and did not stop until his death, aged 30.  When it looked like he should begin to consolidate his position, he just continued fighting, resetting the clock.

When he died, the kingdom could not be held together and it split into four.

Another Spring Hero is Genghis Khan. 

He brought the disparate tribes of Mongolia into a meritocratic society, with his family as the ruling class.  Until his dying day, he continued to conquer, putting down rebellions and establishing an empire to hand on to his successors.

Caesar Augustus was a Spring Hero too. 

Upon receiving the emperorship from Julius, he set about conquering his political opponents and renewing the City of Rome.  His constitutional reforms were maintained for centuries, ensuring Rome’s hegemony continued.

In the Bible we find two Spring Hero archetypes, Joshua and King David.

After the death of Moses, Joshua conquered the land of Canaan.  Upon finishing the conquest and setting up the nation, he died.  Handing over the leadership to the priests and judges.

Over time, this system failed, and a monarchy was installed.  King Saul was unable to bring about a new golden age, unable to reset the heroic cycle back to Spring. 

Saul’s son failed too and was killed.  David followed and revitalised the Israelite monarchy, conquered the surrounding tribes and bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Both he and Joshua set a new cycle for the nation of Israel, whereas Saul and his son could not.

King Henry VIII is another Spring Hero.  His father won against Richard of York and established the Tudor royal family.  

Likely due to the interference from the Roman Catholic Church and the Hapsburgs, he embraced Protestantism.  His brand of religion was unlike Lutherism, as it had a deep connection to the Crown.   From this position, he made alliances with the European nations and worked to establish a new settlement for England.

In Modern times, we see Spring heroes too.  Tony Blair’s first term was a time of Cool Britannia where British cultural products conquered the world, from Oasis and Burberry to Damian Hurst.

We see this with George W Bush’s first term after 9/11, where he invaded Iraq and Afghanistan.  Setting a new tone for the US and its hegemony.

As we can see from history, both ancient and recent, the Spring Hero looks to set up a new order. It usually through some form of conquest, whether at home or away, through military combat, cultural conquest or even spiritual renewal.  Through their heroic will, a new settlement is achieved for the country and a path forward is created and capitalised upon.  When it looks it’s time to consolidate their position, they may return to conquest, resetting the Seasonal Hero Cycle.  Or they may work to become a Summer Hero instead, consolidating all the gains made during the Spring.

I wonder if you can think of any other people from history who could fit the archetype of a Spring Hero? Are there any Spring Heroes around today?