There is disscusse heroic nature of Digene's death in this article.

Unlike classical "καλοζ θανατοζ", the death of the hero in "Digenes Akrites" does not combine the function of demonstrating bravery and strength, and in our view, it offers the Christian understanding of death, according to wich, death is relief, liberation of the soul from the fetters of the flesh, transition to the next reality.