This piece, a drinking vessel in the shape of a fist, is a clear example of how masculinity was viewed in the ancient near east. It is sculped in a way that shows extraordinary physical strength with rough, detailed knuckles, insinuating to violence. The size of the hand further captures the masculine figure. The imagine on the cuff of the hand depicts the "Great King Tudhaliya" as he pours a ritual liquid in front of an alter for the storm god, with five of his followers witnessing, some of whom are playing instruments. Since the carving represents a king, the strength shown is now from a common man who gained his physique through physical labor but a trained noble or king who's strength would be used for battle and power rather than agriculture. It shows what these societies expected from their leaders -- from them to be hypermasculine powerful men who help strength for violence and defense. This also compares to our current expectations for leaders, it's traditionally standard for a man to be head of a household and for men to practice sternness, be athletic, and to control in some way. Men, historically, held almost every position of power within the US government and abled bodied people are valued more than than those with disabilities.
This strength of ordinary men is something that is rarely reflected in modern heroism. After the Silver Age of comics (1956-1970), sci-fi explanation for powers and enhanced individuals became the norm. There were no more superheroes that were more hero than super. Although, some break out of this norm, the most famous example being Batman. While one might think that he may possess powers, he does not. He regularly goes head to head with aliens superpowered by the sun or chemically altered villains while having no enhancements himself. He survives off his resources and mind alone on the battlefield.
Although the ordinary man is less likely to be regarded as a superhero, modern heroes are certainly more diverse with many of them, particularly from Marvel, being disabled. Daredevil, Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Professor X are all famous Marvel superheroes who are disabled who have also received numerous adaptations, being blind, an amputee, deaf, and paralyzed respectively . Women are also more present in the hero role in the modern day. Wonder Woman, from DC, is one of the most famous superheroes in general, not just out of woman superheroes, a character who regularly out-strengths her male counterparts.
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