Ethos ( /ˈiːθɒs/ or /ˈiːθoʊs/) is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence its hearer's emotions, behaviors, and even morals. Early Greek stories of Orpheus exhibit this idea in a compelling way. The word's use in rhetoric is closely based on the Greek terminology used by Aristotle in his concept of the three artistic proofs.

Ethos (ἦθος, ἔθος, plurals: ethe (ἤθη), ethea (ἤθεα)) is a Greek word originally meaning "accustomed place" (as in ἤθεα ἵππων "the habitat of horses", Iliad 6.511), "custom, habit", equivalent to Latin mores.

Ethos forms the root of ethikos (ἠθικός), meaning "moral, showing moral character". Late Latin borrowed it as ethicus, the feminine of which (ethica, for ἠθική φιλοσοφία "moral philosophy") is the origin of the modern English word ethics.

Ethos can simply mean the disposition, character, or fundamental values peculiar to a specific person, people, culture, or movement. The Ethos refers to the spirit which motivates the ideas and customs. As T.S. Eliot wrote, "The general ethos of the people they have to govern determines the behavior of politicians." One historian noted that in the 1920s, "The ethos of the Communist party dominated every aspect of public life in Soviet Russia."

Matt Wilkinson is a British actor, writer and film director.

Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he has appeared in theatre, film and television, including Alan Bennet's The Wind in the Willows (Old Vic), Shackleton (Channel 4) and V for Vendetta (Warner Bros.).

Wilkinson is also a voice artist known for his versatility. Numerous radio commercials and TV animations include Empire Square (Channel 4), The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky (Channel 5), Watership Down (CITV) and 64 Zoo Lane (CBBC). He has narrated various TV documentaries and was the voice of Scott in Blizzard; Race to the Pole (BBC). For gamers, he is the voice of Murmur in EA's Hellgate: London.

He also wrote and directed his first play Sun is Shining for Mu-lan Theatre Company. It played in London at the Kings Head (2002), BAC Time Out Critics Choice season (2003) and transferred to the 59E59 Theaters in New York City in 2004. Published by Samuel French (US). He co-wrote and performed in the UK adaptation of Hideki Noda's play Red Demon (Young Vic 2003), published by Oberon.