Chapter 3, Generations of Deities - Part 2 Summary and Analysis

There is also a recurring theme of incestuous relations among some of the gods. The relationship between Hera and her brother Zeus is a case in point. They are both offspring of Rhea and Cronos. Despite the fact that they are siblings, they come to be husband and wife to one another as well. There are versions of the story where their union is depicted as having been his raping her, but in other versions it is actually that she wants her brother for her husband, at least in part to consolidate power in the family and with love and passion. He does have other lovers during their marriage, but they never divorce—only his sister is his wife. In this edition, the marriage is viewed as only taking place...