Queen’s Gambit

By Shannon

Author’s Note: This is purely a hobbyist’s overview of the myths and etiological stories regarding Hera. Using ancient text and academic essays, we're tin-foiling what these stories could mean for her within Lore Olympus. It is important to remember that there isn’t “one true version” of these myths. What we know as ancient Greece was a collection of hundreds of unique city-states, all with their own poets and storytellers.

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Hera Basíleia

With the end of the mid-season hiatus upon us, we're rereading and theorizing what could be happening between the realms during Persephone's banishment.

While the series started at a high point for Hera and Zeus, things quickly disintegrated mere hours after the Panathenaea was over.

With Zeus' handling of the banishment, a lot of focus is on the separated couple and their reaction. However, we do have a mythological story of someone going against Zeus in a big way. Let's talk about Hera's rebellion.

We don't know much of the Olympian rebellion, but one of the earliest surviving acknowledgments is told in The Iliad by Achilles when he speaks to his mother, Thetis, about her role in rescuing Zeus.

Frustrated with how Zeus was ruling, a secret group was formed by many of the Olympians to take his throne.

"I often heard you proudly telling us how you alone among the gods once saved Zeus...when some of the other Olympians - Hera, Poseidon, and Pallas Athene - had plotted to throw him in chains."

- Achilles to Thetis, The Iliad 1.399 trans. Rieu & Jones

Rebellion: It's a family affair

Circa 6th Century BCE

The rebellion starts in a few different ways. Sometimes Hera gives Zeus a sleeping draught, sometimes he's just a really deep sleeper. Regardless, he ends up chained to his bed.

Before the coup could get off the ground, Thetis reached out to Briareus, one of the Hecatoncheires (Hundred-Handed ones) loyal to Zeus. Free of his restraints, the other gods "slunk off in terror".

To punish Poseidon and Apollo, they were forced to build the walls of Troy. Athena, being Zeus' favorite, managed to avoid punishment. Hera, for orchestrating the rebellion, was chained and suspended from the sky. Wailing in pain, she was only released when she swore that she wouldn't attempt another rebellion.

Pausanias was a 2nd century CE traveler and geographer. In his Description of Greece, he tells the story of Hera and Zeus separating after an argument. During this time, she is known as Hera Khera, the Widow.

Thetis and Briareus set their sights on Athena, Poseidon, and Hera.
-Tommaso Piroli (1795)

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Photo by Webtoons

In Lore Olympus…

In Episode 137, after doubting her vision of Apollo and Persephone, Hera asks Persephone to allow her to help her. While she describes herself as "a has-been old drunk" and "a joke", she has resources and can be discreet. She might be down, but she's definitely not out.

This is a rare moment of vulnerability from Hera, who is well known for her sharp barbs and aloof manner. Throughout the story, we've seen her through the lens of her troubled marriage with Zeus. In season two, we see her focus shift from marriage to the protector of one woman in particular.

Jumping back to Hera as of Episode 190, between Zeus' trial against Persephone and Apollo's revelation that he is a product of Leto and Zeus' affair, it would be safe to assume that Hera and Zeus' relationship is currently contentious.

When Zeus condemns Persephone, Hera attempts to angrily interrupt. After all of the disrespect and bickering, after all of Zeus' grandstanding, could this verdict be the tipping point for the Goddess of Marriage and Protector of Women? Could Hera use this potential unrest to attempt to overthrow her husband?

All that said, we could see Hera use Demeter and Persephone's punishments and the outrage it may cause to gather a coalition of gods against Zeus. If not to overthrow, perhaps to push for some sort of societal change within Olympus. Hera has shown herself to be resourceful and cunning. We don't think she's done just yet.

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