W-welcome to hell

You know what, I think I might agree? Like, while Apollo certainly is Zeus’ favourite in general, his pride and joy, so to speak, that doesn’t preclude Hermes and Zeus being closer to each other. (They also have a smoother relationship, even with Apollo still being a/the favourite lol)

First of all, these two go on what is basically father-son bonding trips to test people’s committent to xenia; this is something we only see Zeus and Hermes do (otherwise Zeus goes alone, like in the Lykaon situation). Then there’s all the times Hermes is helping Zeus with various (non-official) situations, and I really don’t think those should be considered Zeus “dumping” any “unpleasant shit” on Hermes, and I think this can be tied into a paper I read recently, which talked about Zeus’ order in relation to Hermes and Apollo’s relationship as it develops in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes, and also about that potential closeness.

It was about how Apollo was representing one type of thinking/relating to the world and Hermes another, and the one in Hermes’ case (noos) is one Zeus uses a lot of, so they’re similar in that way? And Zeus DOES just laugh the whole situation in the hymn off and urges the two of them to work to get along instead of talking of guilt and potential punishments. Also like, the things he entrusts Hermes to help him with/acting in his stead isn’t just to solve shit like the Europa situation and his infidelities, but also in the Iliad, escorting Priam (even when, we note, Hermes took a stand on the Achaean side when the gods were given free reign).

On top of that, Hermes is Olympus’ and Zeus’ herald and messenger, and this isn’t just an “errand boy” thing. A herald was basically a proto diplomat; you don’t just have to relay messages and stuff, but do it in a way, if necessary, so that the message is relayed in a way the recipient might be more amenable to. Obviously in the myths/books these are usually just all retold verbatim, but in a real situation that isn’t how it works, and I bet there are times when Hermes does have to be clever and diplomatic about it, which undoubtedly both works with his personality/skill set, but also - this is Zeus trusting Hermes with things like this! Without oversight.

And, well, you’ve also got the Typhon business, where Hermes (alongside Pan) is usually the one to help Zeus with the sinews situation.

(As a side note it honestly is kind of annoying and bewildering to characterize Hermes as undervalued and dumped with unwanted shit he has to deal with instead of his father; he’s clearly very well trusted!)

Person: *reads about a Greek goddess/female character being problematic*

Person: well you KNOW WHAT? these women were written by men who were huge misogynists they treated women as seducers and second class citizens who needed no respect.

Person: so I’ll forgive her no matter what and defend her

Person: *proceeds to create an elaborate and exaggerated interpretation that sympathises with that goddess/female character and spreads it as if it’s a fact*

_

Person: *reads about a Greek god/male character being problematic*

Person: oh wow what an asshole.

Person: He deserves no forgiveness or redemption.

My interpretation is that Orion was accepted into the hunt because he was a male victim, had no protections, and was framed for the crime committed against him. I refuse to believe that every last one of the male 'heroes' were all rapists at, at least, one point.

Ares: but why do we have to fight? can't we just yknow, have a threesome?

Hermes: no

Ares: but- but we're friends! Can't you consider it?

Hermes: nahhhh

Ares: you did it with Apollo the other day!

Hermes: sorry to break it to you Ares but you're not Apollo. I don't like you that much.

Ares: *gasp*

***

“Lord Hades?”

He almost jumped, completely having missed anyone’s approach, and furthermore almost snapped at the intruder on his thoughts. He suppressed the first urge into a slow, controlled turn, and the second urge into pressure in his jaw until he could speak and reveal nothing but dismissive flatness.

“What?”

Iris flinched a little, shifting on her feet and setting the faint gleam about her golden wings rippling around her at his tone, but just because he had to acknowledge her did not mean he had to be welcoming. He was busy. Unfortunately, Iris never came here unless there was reason, and if it was about an oath she did not need to come to him, but would rather go directly to Styx - which he knew she preferred. Alas for both of them, then, that it was clearly him she had some message for.

“There’s some unrest that’s closest to your realm, Father Ze—”

“What is that?”

Iris blinked, snapping her mouth closed as she ruffled her feathers, though there was no other proof of her annoyance at having been interrupted. She also wouldn’t voice such a thing.

“What is… what, Lord Hades?”

Frustrated and annoyed, Hades bent down and whipped a hand out, quick enough neither Iris nor his target had a chance to so much as flinch and held the child up by his loincloth.

“This.”

Of course he knew who he was, this annoying child, though he hadn’t met him yet before this, but he wouldn’t have expected to find the child here of all places. Hermes dangled from his hand quite happily, unflinching in the face of Hades’ dark expression.

Had this concept in my mind for a while now.

look at this horrible little baby. he’s so ugly

roman egypt turn on your location i just want to talk

this picture called the registrar and revoked my archaeology degree

Aesop’s big pretty eyes and the beard!!!

Helios looks all imperious and radiant I love the way you draw him ❤️❤️

Hera’s aspect of fertility/procreation is controlled and regulated (marriage and children), it’s the very basic building block of assuring society, that you will have a future society.

Zeus’ aspect is rain, which certainly ensures agricultural fertility, and, if you add his youth being equated to the Cretan agricultural boy-consort, even more so in the same vein, but this is also uncontrolled. You can’t control rain. Zeus’ domains within society-building is law/justice and government, just as necessary for society as children and family/marriage but on another level.

Niobe *mocking*: you’ve often dressed up in women’s dresses

Apollo: No

Apollo: I wear dresses. They’re not “women’s dresses”

Apollo: They’re my dresses. I buy them

Apollo: die mad bitch