In the myth, the legends that surround any historical truth might have evolved into symbols of "kinship" and leadership, and expanded with descriptions of spiritual, supernatural or magical chain of events.
Beowulf for example is a mythological king in training in the epic tradition, because he fights "a strenuous battle against the disorganization of the universe."
(McConnel 1979:59) Another is the great king "Oxthar", a leopard headed man that journeyed to the mythical underworld of Palulu (which is the supposed place where the sun goes to rest at night) and stole glowing stones from the bed of the sun to give light and power to his people.
In epics of war, source of power is often having physical skills above ordinary men, owning "magical" weapons and political alliances.
In romantic and contemplative myths his power and success may from internal personality traits, such as from courage, wisdom and self-restraint.