#that the man Zeus forced to kill a child

[wonderlandsakura]

The gods won't make the same mistake twice

There's one hero Percy Jackson is similar to, someone the gods broke, and they regretted it

Someone kind, that they made ruthless

Someone loving, that they made brutal:

Odysseus

[mrkeatingsblazer]

The Prophecy [Oh, Was It Punishment?] Part One

Apollo x Child of Hermes! Reader

Part one Part Two

“No man of mortal blood could ever love you.”

It rings in your ears; the words of Eros haunting you till this day. It was no major exposure like that of Nico’s, who was forced to come out to both Jason and you to appease the love God, but still; you felt as though the ugly truth of your soul was revealed to the two boys and you recall that you never liked surprises. Even though the sentence rushes and pillages through your mind like a crazed wave, you’re strangely enough soothed by it. To know that every worry and concern of your ability to be loved was not from any fault of your own but rather the weaving of the fates comforts you to the point of sighing in relief. It’s not you but what was forced of you, a true demi-god faith if you do say so yourself.

You have never been a stranger to a prophecy, being a big aid to Percy during the war against Kronos and your half-brother, Luke, and being a member of The Eight, destined to defeat Mother Earth herself, Gaia. As much as you despise prophecies you can’t help understand the glory of the previous ones you’ve been a part of. Sure, a couple friends and families die but at least you get the title of Hero of Olympus, am I right? This prophecy [is it even a prophecy or just a God's way of giving a diss] is just downright depressing. Almost as depressing as when your Godly parent was revealed.

At 15 years old, after defeating Atlas and rescuing both Lady Artemis and Annabeth, you stood as an unclaimed child watching as the Gods debated if you should all just be killed. It was only when Artemis was asking you, along with Thalia and Annabeth, to join her hunt did anyone question parentage.

“And you [name], who has not been claimed by God or Goddess alike, allow me to claim you as my own and join as a member of my hunt,” Artemis spoke with such kindness, almost reminiscent of a mother. You shook your head at that thought; she was definitely more like a big sister. Before you could even begin to respond to the Goddess, Zeus raised his hand into the air.

“The child's parent should be given the chance to claim her,” he declared with an air of authority, “before any decisions are made.”

“She is 15 solstices of age, has that not been enough time for the child's parent to claim,” Artemis rebukes with narrowed eyes only to be met with the same expression from her father.

“You first take my daughter, whom I allowed to be given,“ you heard Thalia scoff from beside you, “and now you fight against my order, purposely trying to disobey me in public.” His voice comes out icy and dangerous.

“father -” Apollo nervously begins from the throne beside his sister.

“Quiet Apollon!” Zeus demands. “If any one here owns the child speak now.”

The zoom grows silent, you watch as the Gods’ and Goddess’, interested or not, scanned the zoom waiting for someone to pipe in. Tears built up in your eyes and a lump began to form in your throat, you didn’t even have time to process or even blush when Percy slid his hand into yours, giving it a comforting squeeze.

Your eyes landed on Apollo, to his concerned frown and his perfectly furrowed eyebrow. You recall meeting him barely weeks before now, finding him alluring and bubbly as he chatted with you during the ride on his Sun Chariot. When we got to camp, you remember him engaging with his children in envy. He swung them around and messed with their hair, conversing with them with questions about their hobbies while also never failing to make them all laugh and feel included. You always kind of hoped he was your father ever since you found out you were a demi-god. You sloppily used a bow for a month straight before giving it up; everyone knew Apollo always claimed his kids a month into them being at camp. That didn’t stop you from hoping, from writing poetry and sending offerings to him every meal. Even now you hope he says something, eagerly looking at him like a moth to a light.

“She’s one of mine.” Everyone turned towards the direction of the voice, to Hermes who looked as though claiming you was the last thing he wanted to do that day. It made sense, really, and made you feel stupid for not realizing sooner. Grover always said you were a built in lie detector and you ran faster then anyone in camp, probably anyone in the world. You look up hopefully above your head to nothing; he didn’t even use his sign.

“So,” Artemis said, bringing back the attention to herself, “knowing now the God who conceived you, do you accept my offer to join my hunt?”

All eyes were on you, the deities’ large and looming forms leaned closer as if to hear your answer better even though they had perfect hearing. You once again looked, from Lady Artemis, to Lord Zeus, Lord Apollo and back to your father, Hermes. You caught a hint of interest in his deep brown eyes and sadly, that was all you needed.

“I appreciate your offer, my Lady, but I must decline.” you hear sighs from your friends beside you. Percy once again squeezed your hand, sending you one of his charming smiles that made your stomach weak. Hermes seemed quite happy with himself at your decision, as if he wasn’t forced to claim you moments prior, while Lady Artemis gracefully nodded in acceptance and that was it. There was no pulling you aside to talk with your father or even a look as far as you were aware. He partied into the night during the biggest moment of your life.

That memory fades from your mind, the lavish party of Olympus merging into the end of war celebration at Camp Half-Blood. Just like the former, you had no energy to join in with the festivities. With Leo dead there didn’t seem like there was much point to, the rest of The Eight agreed. From across the haggard bench you sat on, you watched as the sun set down upon the camp. It was poetically finite but still you had a stabbing feeling that this wasn’t finished, you weren’t finished.

[aphroditelovesu]

Hi I have concept questions rate the yandere Greek gods, and who is most likely out of them with sexually assault or rape reader any gender I don’t know it came in my mind after I found out that Ares has never raped a women or man in my opinion that is a really shocking thing coming from the god of war I mean when comes to gods it’s a pretty good standard because I have read about so many sexual assaults in Greek mythology. for example obviously, Zeus is most likely going to force himself on reader he has done it many times and then the other one is Poseidon he did it with medusa if I remember correctly, so he is most likely to do it, and he has done it with other people and then Eros I don’t know why I just think he would do it and Apollo would do it and I actually thought Ares would would also sexually assault reader, but after finding out that he never did with anyone I don’t he would force himself on reader since he has never done it in Cannon fun fact, one of the sons of Poseidon raped his daughter and when Ares found out, he was furious and killed Poseidon son. Hades, this is another god I think he would not force himself on reader. But I’m not sure about Dionysus maybe he would and Hephaestus is another god who would force himself because he did it with Athena if I remember correctly. Aphrodite, maybe you would do it too. Hermes is another god I think he would do it too. What do you think can you Frank them from? Who is most likely to do it to who is least likely to do it and never do it at all.

tw: talk about rape/sexual harassment.

I would say the same ones you mentioned above.

Zeus and this one doesn't even need explanations. Poseidon, depending on the version, is said to have raped Medusa, but this is the Roman version and not the Greek, so it depends on which myth you prefer, but I think he would be able to force himself on the Reader.

Apollo would do it if he was rejected by his beloved, and he wouldn't even think he was doing anything wrong. Eros would also force himself on his darling if he was rejected in a very cruel way, then he would force them to be his.

Although there are no records of Ares forcing himself on anyone, as we are doing a headcanon and I don't work with canon but with the voices in my head, I would say that he could force himself on the Reader. And he wouldn't even need much for that, it can easily be motivated by jealousy, pure lust or just because he wants to mark the Reader as his.

Hephaestus... It's complicated, the reason he tried to abuse Athena is because of Poseidon, in a way. Poseidon became jealous of the closeness of Athena and Hephaestus and incited the god of forging to make unwanted advances on the goddess of wisdom, thinking that she liked him. He never actually raped her, it was more like harassment, but he came on her thighs and a child was born from that. Bizarre? Yes. Would he abuse his S/O? Look, it depends. I think that if Hephaestus was really consumed by obsession, by jealousy, he could force himself on his darling.

Hades would never force himself sexually on his darling. He can kidnap them (and he will), he can lock them up but he will never do anything against their will, sexually speaking. He doesn't want to be like his brothers and loathes it, so he would never touch the Reader without their consent.

Dionysus would do it too. He is delusional enough and the reason he would abuse his darling could be motivated by how delusional he is. The god would be so delusional that he wouldn't even realize that the Reader doesn't want to sleep with them.

Hermes would only do so if he wanted to dismantle power over his S/O. Like, he did that to them because he can, because they are his and that means he can take them wherever he wants and whenever he wants. A form of control and psychological torture, in a way.

I think Aphrodite would be the only one of the goddesses to abuse her darling, but for her, she would not be committing abuse but rather showing how much she loves them. And for her, the goddess of love, also the patron saint of prostitutes, what better way than to have sex with her darling? Even if it's not consensual.

[ismaeldrawsthings]

Thinking about the contrast between Thetis and Mary mother of Jesus ok I am NOT crazy just hear me out

I'm thinking about how Mary just got married with a man she loved so deeply and was chosen by her God to give birth to his child, still a virgin. She felt honored. Her womb, a blank canvas that would paint an amazing story. Her son the embodiment of God, characterized by his gentleness and compassion, how he spent the years of his life spreading the word of God, messages about loving one's neighbor and peace. His child, whom she saw die humiliatingly and cruelly in the hands of a people who feared his message of love and peace. Who she saw coming back to her even after death.

And then we have Thetis. Thetis, daughter of Nereus, maybe the fairest one of them all. Zeus and Poseidon wanted her, and did she feel honored by this? Did she boast of being the envy of her sisters and cousins? Being desired by Olympians is no small thing. Let's say she did. Let's say she was excited to be chosen by the King Among The Gods and The King Of The Seas to dispute among each other for her hand. But then the prophecy, "greater than his father", came, and she was no longer desired. She was feared. Her womb was feared. They all knew what happens to those Gods who are greater than their fathers; Zeus still reeks of Cronos remains. So she was arranged a marriage to this man she knew nothing of nor cared about. In fact, in the standard myth, Peleus rapes her. He was told how exactly to do it. This mortal, who she hated—she couldn't stand mortal blood—, forced his child into her. They get married and her pregnancy begins. In some versions, Thetis has 6 children before Achilles who she kills because she couldn't stand the idea of having a mortal child. It's not fair. What did she do? Why was she being punished for something that was not up to her to decide? She has her son, and calls him ἄχος, suffering, because isn't that all that thing has caused her? Isn't all her suffering because of this dammed thing that grew inside of her? It should be easy to hate him. In fact, she should hate him.

Yet she doesn't. She loves him. She loves her little suffering. And she loves him so much she finds it all unfair. Unfair he will die and she will live carrying all this sorrow inside of her. She wished there was a way to grant him with godhood, but there is none. He is no God. And that is cruelty, that isn't fair.

Even if she tries to protect him, her suffering is sent to war afar from her. And he's full of hate. And isn't all that hers? He was born out her hatred, out of her rage. That's what he was born to feel, that's what he was made of. No matter how much her or the people around him try to do, his destiny if full of hatred, and violence, and blood, and all things bad. He's named the Best Of The Greeks because of how many Trojans have died by his sword. He steals, and kills, and kidnaps. He's not just her suffering alone, now, he's the people's suffering, Αχιλλεύς. He dies and he doesn't come back, because he's mortal, she can't make him a God. And she will live forever with her sorrow.

Jesus was Mary's blessing. Achilles was Thetis' punishment. And yet they both loved their children like only a mother can.

Also to add to that contrast, Mary is dressed really modestly ofc because she's a virgin and God's mother and she has to have a lot of cloth to cover her. Thetis is illustrated showing a lot of skin most of the time. The cultural differences play game into that fact of course but this comparison is not even like implying that they're equivalent to either religion so wooooo woooooooo

Anyway it's 2 AM why am I yapping this much

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Epic the Musical What if

(What if Odysseus didn’t kill the infant in Troy)

-The war with the Trojans went exactly the same as described in the song. Odysseus and the other armies were attacking Troy. They used the horse strategy.

-Odysseus gets his vision from Zeus. Telling him that there was someone his must kill.

-Sure enough, Odysseus finds the infant. (The people named him ‘Astyanax’ as his father Hector was the defender of Troy.)

-Now Odysseus begs Zeus to not make him do this.

- He sings “Just a Man” but instead of dropping the infant from the wall. Right when he was about to… he stops. Because he’s just a man.

-He takes Astyanax with him and his crew. Dropping a fake baby from a wall to get Zeus off his back.

-Odysseus renames the child. Calling him Eleos, the crew asked where he found the baby. Odysseus makes up a lie about finding him at the outskirts of town.

-The song “full speed ahead” occurs and the group end up on the island where Polyphemus is.

-But Odysseus is now a lot less guilt stricken, watching over the kid. He is more sure of his command, but… he does worry the gods will find out the truth.

-Odysseus decides to send a force with him (as he isn’t feeling guilty of baby murder). They find the winions and they tell Odysseus about the cave. (An alternate version of “open arms” plays)

-But Odysseus being more focused asked some follow up questions. Finding out about the cyclops.

-Athena shows up and asks Odysseus what the deal is with the infant. Odysseus says he found it just outside of Troy.

-Athena tells him not to get soft because of him. (Warrior of the mind) but is suspicious and feels like he’s hiding something.

-Odysseus decides to be more clever. Instead of just killing the sheep, Odysseus tells his crew to use stealth and sneak the sheep out.

-He told one of his crew to watch Eleos while they grabbed the sheep.

-Unfortunately the plan failed because one of the sheep started making noise and one of the crew stabbed the sheep to shut it up.

-Polyphemus woke up and the song “Polyphemus” goes the same way.

-But Odysseus was more prepared in advance, and had a larger group with him. And had a means of taking out the Cyclops. “Survive” became a different song with no casualties. And Polyphemus dies.

-They take the rest of the sheep and leave. Polites comments that he thought they were gonna die but were relieved they didn’t.

-The crew leave the island, with a victory song (now not called “Remember them,” but called heading home.)

-Athena had no complaints because Odysseus killed the cyclops and didn’t reveal his name. But she’s suspicious, and there is a song called “Hiding something.”

-There is still a Storm. “Storm” plays and while it’s not as bad, they do end up on the Sky Islands.

-Odysseus consults Athena regarding the storm, and if they should ask the wind god for help. Athena tells him no. But asks him about the infant again. This time tricking him into confessing.

-Odysseus confesses it’s the baby, Zeus told him to kill. Which horrifies Athena. Athena explaining to which Odysseus says he knows ( My Goodbye comes into play now)

-The storm cleared up and Odysseus looks at Eleos, wondering how this boy could be anything evil. He sees the soft smile, this boy is his son. He’s attached. He sings a variant of “Monster” but it’s called “No monsters here” about Eleos never becoming the monster fate said he would be.

-Despite everything, the group makes it home to Ithica. It only took them one year instead of 10, and no one died.

-Of course when Odysseus returned with 600 men, the suitors that had started to gather left immediately. (A new Song called “King Returns” ) Antinous was the only one that remained, claiming Odysseus wasn’t fit to be king, as he left his kingdom for 11 long years.

- A variation of the song “Little wolf” but changed to “Wolf” is played. Odysseus beats the shit out of Antinous and kills him.

-Odysseus reunites with Penelope and his 11 year old son Telemachus. He even sees his mother. Who had been waiting for his return. (The new song “Welcome Home” plays ending the first part of the musical.

-It cuts to 17 years later.

-Odysseus is king but he is older, and he had been preparing Telemachus to take his place.

-Penelope tells Odysseus of her concern regarding Eleos. The song “Luck runs out” but a different rendition, using Penelope talking to Odysseus.

-Eleos, now 18 years old and an absolute beast, has a match against his brother Telemachus called “Rivalry”. Up to this point Telemachus always beat Eleos, but he wanted to win so badly… he accidentally snapped his neck.

-This was very concerning, as the next song “Monster” is describing Eleos. Ithica turns against him as he killed their future king.

-Odysseus realized the prophecy and decided that he needed to correct his mistake (filled with grief over losing his son)

-Eleos flees not wanting to fight Odysseus (the song “Odysseus” plays with a different context.) Eleos barely escapes. Odysseus laments that if he was only a few years younger, he could have ended this.

-Eleos escapes and Laments his life, where the new Song “Tragedy” plays.

-He ends up fleeing to the ruins of Troy. Where he finds out the truth. The song “Ruthlessness” but altered to be about Eleos, as he abandons his name. Taking the name the people of his homeland once gave him, Astyanax.

-It cuts to years later, Odysseus is an old man and Penelope never had another child. Odysseus wonders if he acted to brashly with Eleos. He did learn it was an accident. The new song “Regret” plays.

-Ithica is set ablaze. As the new song “Avenger” plays. And the line from Odysseus “All I hear are screams” is said through out.

-Odysseus sees Eleos, and the song “No longer you.” Plays but it’s Odysseus singing it about Eleos. Comparing the child he knew to the monster before him.

-Odysseus tries to plead with him. But Eleos tells him his true name. Astyanax. And the new song “Revenge” plays (same tune as Mutiny)

-And sure enough, Astyanax kills Odysseus. He burns Ithica to the ground. Killing everyone.

-Astyanax looks around the destroyed kingdom. He sings a new song called “Just begun.” And he describes how Ithica was just the first. There were other kingdoms that destroyed his home and he would destroy them all. And it ends with “For it has only just begun”

-And that’s where it ends.

[angrygirlromero]

BASTARD LOVE, PROLOGUE

WARNING: grammar mistakes, violence, suggestive content! MDNI

Demitra Lyninxic was no fool, she knew despite being claimed by the goddess Hera that she was no child of her's, not because of her behavior towards the young demigod, but rather because of the power that coursed through her veins, deep down she could feel the storm brewing inside her and when it came no one not even her mother, the goddess of marriage would be able to calm it.

She knew her father had failed to take notice of her being, yet he had taken care of his sweet Thalia, but when Demitra had arrived at camp with hundreds of monsters on her tail, while almost being killed at the border Zeus stood by and watched yet he did nothing, as if she wasn't his own blood, but as Luke had always said "no one could force the gods to do anything", most especially take responsibility for their children.

But she was tired of being in her so called mother's shadow, the other gods turning a blind eye to her being due to Hera's fondness for the girl, and Demitra played the part of the dutiful daughter of Hera becoming the maternal figure at camp, every single camper looked up at her for guidance what seemed like a blessing from the gods would someday be a curse to them.

She pretended not knowing that her beloved mother Hera had been the one to leave her an orphan being the one to take her mothers life out of jealousy and spite of her husband, what seemed like devotion and pure love from afar deep down was resentment and hatred up close, no one would ever notice, except for him, he saw straight threw her, from the moment he had met her all those years ago in the Hermes cabin, a scared girl who had been abandoned and been thrown to the Wolfes, Luke saw the same darkness he saw in himself in her.

Demitra sat alone in the woods a small fire burning in-front of her as she sat with a blank look upon her beautiful features, the young girl took her time to pick up her plate where a slice of chocolate cake sat perfectly waiting to be eaten, yet instead of eating the delicious pastry Demitra leaned forward raking the pastry into the fire where the flames soon consumed it.

"It's my birthday today." stated the girl as she stared deep into the fire "I doubt you even know that, or care but I turned sixteen today, it's been fifteen years since she passed, I doubt you even remember her name or what she looked like" said Demitra as a tear slipped down her right cheek, "I don't think she would be proud of me, because I know you aren't, cause if you were you'd acknowledge me. I- I just hope one day you'll be proud of me, either way I'm sorry for bothering you father" said Demitra with a broken voice.

Her head hang low in shame at her actions she did this every year, knowing deep down that she would get no response but maybe this year would be different she thought, the curse of hope that haunted her as a mortal was her enemy, it always would be what haunted her.

"Deep down he is proud of you" said a deep voice from in front of her, Demitra quickly raised her head to lock eyes with the figure before her, Demitra thought she was losing her mind at the god before her, there stood the almighty Ares, the god of war, the protector of women, with his arms crossed as he stared at the demigod before him.

"You are as beautiful as mother claims, sister" stated Ares, to which Demitra frowned with her lips parted, "a beautiful woman should never have to cry to gain a mans affections" stated Ares bending down to his sister's level taking his hand under her chin then whipping the tears from her cheeks, "Our father isn't worth it, you should know that by now" he said.

"Why have you come to me?" asked out Demitra in a soft voice to which Ares smiled, "I have been watching you for a while sister, I admire your actions and I am grateful to you for caring for my children." explained Ares, "They speak of you frequently you see, and my daughter Clarisse believes that you are destined for greatness" he said.

"Me? destined for greatness? is unlikely" said Demitra with a sad voice "Do you know why our father treats you the way he does?" asked Ares to which Demitra shook her head, "Some years ago there was a prophecy told to the gods, one stating that the children of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades would soon rise up and rebel against them it is why the pact of the forbidden children was made" said Ares but of course everyone knew that story, but why would he care so deeply for Thalia yet turn a blind eye to her?

"But then the oracle went on and told each one of them about their children, Zeus would have three forbidden children, bastards, one would be ungrateful, blind to his affections, and despise what they are, another would be destined for greatness and glory but would have a tragic story, and the last one would be the most powerful demigod to every live, that child was said to despise him and challenge him." said Ares "Father fears which one you would be and mother thinks that you are destined to be the second one."

"I am no great warrior, I have no glory, all I've done is teach and care for the children here, and I can not be blind of affections I do not receive" said Demitra firmly staring at her brother, to which Ares smiled tilting his head at her in curiosity, "I believe other wise" he stated, "Everyday you manage to teach half of the children here something new, they adore you and worship the ground you walk upon, it's more of a blessing than a curse sister. Use that adoration to your advantage" suggested Ares before stepping back preparing himself to leave.

"Why come to me now?" asked Demitra with confusion consuming her beautiful features "Because you're time is coming soon, and when it comes I want to be by your side" said her brother with a soft smile, yet he only provoked even further confusion in the young demigod, "And keep that Hermes boy close, he's quite infatuated with you sister" Said Ares with a smirk before he glowed a bright gold and faded into thin air.

After he faded into golden specs from where he once stood fell a small piece of parchment and with it was a Ipomoea both light objects taking a while to fall to the ground at Demitra's feet, the young demigod picked up the the piece of parchment with a unsure look upon her face, afraid to touch the flower she read the note first.

— To my dearest Demitra, happy birthday my sweet girl I was not allowed to visit you this year but I will see you again very soon little one, in my place I have sent your brother I hope he keep his manners with you. I have sent you a gift it is a morning glory my sweet it will grant you great things in time of need, it is a representation of my love for you it will never fade.

Mother —

⚡︎

Tag list: @puppygirlstar @cecilla @random-girls-loves @purplerose291

BASTAR LOVE MASTERLIST

GENERAL MASTERLIST

[smokey07]

How do you think Achilles and Neo(around the ages they were when the war ended) would interact?

I understand this ask 2 ways:

1- If Achilles was somehow resurrected for a day (Like in Dragonball) when the war ended, before the Achaeans left for home and Neoptolemus freaked the f out (ultimate delulu super crack version, do not take this seriously)

Shameless cheerleader dad meets “I hate everyone and everything” teenager.

Basically Zeus and Hades were feeling generous, he popped up in the middle of his camp, scaring everyone else and his first question was: “Where’s my son?”

Only to hear the clanging of the shield. His shield.

Oh my god the chase of the century. Forget Achilles chasing Hector around, this is the thing that we’re in for.

Neo ran away in full speed with “I don’t know who the f you are”, “Get the f away from me”, “You’re not my dad”, etc etc

While Achilles' “Pyrrhus you pooped on my shirt, I know exactly who you are”, “Pat wants to meet you so much”, “Get back here you gremlin, let dada hug you” was right after him. Oh and he punched Agamemnon along the way, because bich it’s fun.

After a while Neoptolemus jumped into the water and swam away, only for Achilles to call on his mother to tow him back. Neo was then tried to escape again and it turned into a wrestling match. After a few rounds, Neo started punching him and accused him and Pat for leaving, and to everyone’s surprise Achilles agreed. Sorry for dragging you into this so early or something along the line.

The kid broke down crying like a baby in the middle of the fight, and Achilles had to coax him, saying how proud he was. Then he tugged the tired child into bed just like the old days, only for Neo to almost kill him in his sleep. Sword by his throat, feet on his chest ready to strike. The same eyes of war reflecting in his. Neo realized what’s he done but this time Achilles did not let him run away. they hugged each other. In the end, they spent the night talking about Pthia, Skyros, Achilles’ past, Patroclus, Deidamia and a small farm in the woods, far away from everything.

Next morning Achilles was of course gone.

Enough petition and I could make a fic out of it XD

I personally don’t think Achilles will ramble about any Neo’s moral problems and just go “Yo there’s my kid, you fought so well, noiceeee” like he did in the Odyssey.

2- The ghost of Achilles returned (darker and Polyxena incident related). He’s dead so his age doesn’t change, so ig this qualifies XD

Based on the idea from the superstition from many cultures that when someone died in lots of regret and rage, they don’t really leave but linger in places that familiar to them. In Achilles’ case, his f-ing camp. Their soul is also corrupted and often demand a worthy sacrifice, especially for souls full of vengeance. (yeah it’s a thing, you could see where this goes)

I plan to write this for my AU so I’ll make it brief.

It was not Calchas who started everything but Neoptolemus. After the event of the siege, he then dreamt of a man in dark armor, his own to be precise, standing in the corner of his room trying to reach out to him. This man’s flesh was corrupted and rotten, only one of his eyes remained and they were identical to Neo. Day by day the man stood closer to his bed until one day closed enough to reach out and strangle him in his sleep. Neo could not fight a ghost, even when he tried. And for some reasons, he froze whenever the ghost touched him. The ghost always muttered the same thing “Murderer.” He woke up in terror, and the same happened again and again. Every single night.

Neo became sleepless and agitated, he even attacked his own troops out of insignificant errors and almost cause a brawl in the briefing, with everyone. It was so terrible that everyone forced Calchas to consult the gods, and the rest is as you know it.

Hope you like this stupid rambling of mine

[cinderellaenjoyer]

God Games But Posideon Does It

Okay, so, Epic! Posideon wants Ody dead, right? And he can't really do that if Odysseus is stuck on Calypso's island.

So! I had the bright idea of Posideon doing God Games instead of Athena, only vouching for Odysseus to be realsead so Posideon can kill him.

Apologies if some of the Gods are OOC from their Myth counterparts, I tried to do their characters as best as I could

Enjoy

Poseidon:

Brother, God King

Rarely do I ask for favours

Now, I'm knocking on your door

With hopes to take revenge on the one who blinded the son of mine

Odysseus

Zeus:

Divine intervention, is that what you seek?

To have your sweet revenge on that silly reckless Greek?

You are playing with thunder, for something that you should have gotten over

But if he's worth the risk of going under, why not make it a game?

Convince each of them that he ought to be released, and I'll release him

Poseidon: Who's them?

Zeus:

Helios!

Aphrodite!

Persephone!

Demeter!

Hades!

Or me. What do you say?

Helios: Sure

Aphrodite: Eh

Demeter: Why not?

Persephone: Okay?

Hades: Sounds fun.

Poseidon: Bring it!

(Helios!)

Helios:

You all know to whom that cattle belonged

So with Eurylchous already gone, I think Ody can stay on Ogygia

Poseidon:

It’s because he did them worse

They mutinied after he betrayed them

Now they're stuck in the underworld

And he’s gotten off free for what he’s done!

Helios: If that's true, release him

(Aphrodite!)

Aphrodite:

Love is that man’s driving force

Why should I give you my support?

He’ll do anything for his wife and son

Poseidon:

Did you forget about his mother?

He let her die with her heartbroken

So if you make the right decision

I can make sure it was worth it for that poor woman

Aphrodite: Fine, release him

(Persephone)

Persephone:

You must think that I’m crazy

Hundreds of soldiers in the underworld

Thanks to your petty little stunt

Poseidon:

I was avenging my son!

Persphone:

More like having too much fun spiting Odysseus

Let him stay on that island, isn’t that already pain enough?

Poseidon:

Wait! Niece, just consider it!

Demeter:

Really Poseidon? Don’t try it

Poseidon: Demeter!

(Demeter…)

Demeter:

What kind of petty god of sea

Asks a man to be released

So he can sign his death warranty?

You’re the reason he’s far from Ithaca

The reason his family still misses him!

Pretended to be insane so he wouldn’t have to war!

So determined he tried to push through your storm!

Has a son that he never got to see grow!

Poseidon:

Hold your tongue now

This is about my son, not me!

And tell your daughter that he sacrificed the other 43

You talk about family?

Then listen to me!

He blinded Polyphemus, and I need to see him bleed

Demeter/Persephone: …Er, release him

Hades: Hey brother

(Hades!)

Hades:

Death Is inevitable

With or without bloodshed!

Give me one good reason why you should speed up the process

Poseidon:

He blinded the son of mine

Hades:

So I’ve heard

Poseidon:

He got all his men killed!

Hades: Why would I be upset about that?

Poseidon:

He’s kinda annoying?

Hades: So was Orpheus

Poseidon: Might as well complete the whole set with his crew

Hades: -Release him.

Poseidon: I've played your game and won, now let me at him!

Zeus: You dare make a fool of me? To make me feel shame? No one beats me, no one wins my game!

Thunder, bring him, thoroughly wring him!

Show him I'm the judgement call!

The one who makes his kingdom fall!

Apollo: Told you he would lose.

Athena:

Let him go, Father

Let him go

Zeus: Of course, my child

[starlightshadowsworld]

I hate the Percy Jason rivalry, I find it just a poor attempt to rehash the Percy Thalia rivalry.

But man does it have potential in exploring the differences between them and their respective camps. Such as theme of hard work vs natural talent.

Percy is naturally gifted.

He used his powers unknowingly without even knowing he was anything but human. He's never had an issue with his powers, able to perform incredible feats with little effort.

He accidentally vaporised his pre-algebra the first time he ever held a weapon.

He beat Luke in a swordfight in his first ever swordfighting lesson. A great feat considering Luke is called out for being the best swordfighter in Camp Half Blood in a century.

In Camp Half Blood it seems like parentage is everything. The Aphrodite kids are looked down upon because of their mother. The Athena kids are highly regarded because of their mother.

To be a child of the Big 3 is like being royalty itself.

I mean everyone is told to bow when Percy gets claimed by his father. Thalia's the legendary daughter of Zeus and Nico is isolated for a long while for being a son of Hades.

That doesn't seem to be the case at Camp Jupiter. Hazel's not so much looked down upon for being a daughter of Pluto, but for being part of the 5th cohort.

Jason's looked up too but it's not because he's the son of Jupiter. And clearly not cared about enough for people to actually look for him.

It's never said but I imagine he spent a long time being looked down upon for being of the 5th cohort.

Parentage holds weight but it doesn't matter in the same way as it does in Camp Half Blood. I mean Camp Jupiter allows legacies to join. And most of those aren't even demigods themselves, like Octavian.

Legacies aren't seen as lesser. Hell Frank had his life force tied to a stick by Juno because he was deemed too powerful by being both a demigod and a legacy.

Jason has been at Camp Jupiter since he was two years old. He had to survive the wolf house, countless quests and battles and than lead his camp to war. To which he fought Krios and won.

Presumably with no aid from the Olympians.

The first rule of the Wolf House is self reliance. Imagine having that taught to you at 2 years old? After being abandoned by your mother to the wolves.

And these experiences shape people and the sheer culture shock these two should've faced when they were switched.

Wolves who would've killed Jason had he ever shown fear or failed their tests.

And I'm not saying that Percy hasn't ever had work hard. That Jason's has a worse life than him, because that's not true. I'm saying in terms of their skills one comes across as naturally gifted while the other does not.

Percy who suddenly has no one to help him for the first time in his life. He's alone, he's forced to rely on himself and only himself. He's always stuck out but never more so than now.

Its one thing to diss the Olympians to their faces, it's been a long time since his own peers looked down on him. It's like he's back in school all over again, everyone knows what to do and he's failing.

Everything he took for granted before is gone. His talent is all he can rely on and he doesn't even know how that's happening.

Jason is suddenly looked up too and revered because of his parentage. People have a perception of what he should be because of his father, because of his sister.

Both of whom he barely knows, hell he never met Jupiter in the entire series. And he's failing to meet these new expectations. He's the kid who was abandoned forced into the family reunion.

Neither of them feel like they belong and have different ways of trying to cope. Jason doubles down and tries to meet these expectations, while Percy is defiantly himself.

Tld:dr These two should've been like Neji vs Naruto, Gaara vs Rock Lee at the Shunin exams. They are so different and highlighting those differences would've been cool to see.

[rey-diem]

Honestly, BOZ was a lovely show. But be for real, all the gods would rebel against him. In any universe actually. It’s over for Zeus after his children realize they can be stronger than him, fear was holding them back.

Athena, Zeus’ perfect child. She was the Greek’s favorited deity because of her wisdom. Only to be betrayed by her father as he turned the other cheek to Ares.. Ares who never knew the words ‘I’m proud of you,’ getting that moment of recognition because he founded Rome, a new place for Zeus to reign over. Not even glancing back at Athena since she was the reason he was never able to succeed. If they teamed up to start the rebellion against Zeus, when they realize that their bickering to be the best in a greedy man’s eyes will only continue his ego and power.

Hermes, loyal till the very end. Zeus’ right hand man, he worked days on end. Messenging, delivering, dutifully helping demigods. He was the god of too much. Imagine if he slowed down.. and realized he missed so much on life… on love.. cherishing his family.

Artemis, already furious about her hunt but knows that Zeus could kill her sisters and strip her of her powers if she fought back. Finally snapping, because she would choose the hunt over her father any day.

Apollo and Dionysus, manipulated by Zeus to be quiet. Punished several times. Theyre scared of him.. but one’s the healing god and the other is the god of craziness. Imagine if they manipulated his mind back, hurting him.. like they hurt.

Hephaestus, hurt again and again and again. He has no loyalty, but he too never stops working. Imagine if he did, dare I say Olympus will stop. No more technology if there is no Hephaestus.

Aphrodite, the most beautiful goddess to exist. Played as a toy. Even she couldn’t escape Zeus. Forced to be away from her eternal lover, married to a man she never could love. Imagine if she just stopped love overall. The end of the reign of gods if there is no more love. Olympus would split.

They could be the reason Zeus breaks.

[olympushit]

Favorite Ares story? Also, I fucking love your blog. Keep up the work to keep the hate off Ares

Interesting question!

Well, I have 2:

1. When Ares killed Halirrhothious so that he could prevent Alcippe's rape.

This story shows a violent but also a very soft side of Ares. In ancient times raping a woman wasn't considered to be a crime if we actually thought that women had no rights whatsoever. Ares is a loyal dad, who intervenes to save his daughter's dignity without thinking about any beliefs or the social status of women. He knows it's a Disgraceful thing to do and so he behaves in his personal life. He values sexual freedom as long as there is always consent. A man having a feminist nature is what makes women attracted to him, save his good looks. He knows how to respect and treat a woman the right way!

2. When Zeus called him a double-faced liar:

I know it may sound strange, but I have a point. This myth shows how misinterpreted and misunderstood Ares is. His own dad told him that he hated him, his own son. Zeus' marriage with Hera was a forced one, because Hera was raped and didn't want to be wed to Zeus. Their marriage was full of anger, jealousy and dishonesty. Ares is believed to be a child that represented this marriage. He is Zeus' mirror, that constantly reminds Zeus of his mistakes and his violent nature, because even though he was considered to be a god of justice, he acted violently in many occasions.

Ares is a mirror of Zeus, which proves that no one is flawless or picture perfect. There, I wanna add a saying we have here in Greece, "When the parents make sins, then those sins continue to torture their children". I think that Ares is the perfect example to this saying!

There you have it! I hope I didn't confuse you with the second approach, I tried to put it as better as I could! I really liked your question though! Thanks for tge kind words! 💜

[cowboysanddragons23]

Baldur and Thor are both mirrors and reflections of Kratos, both in the Greek and Norse stories:

-Baldur represents the Greek Kratos, a man who was born in funest circumstances (of the ill fated marriage between Odin and Freya, just like Kratos was born, as described "as the bastard child of a repudiated woman.") and ended up being tricked into giving up something he cared about (in Baldur's case was his sensorial abilities, in Kratos' his family). Both served the Gods in hopes of being finally freed of their curses (Baldur wants to feel again, Kratos wants to be freed of his nightmares) and became obsessed with getting revenge against his godly parent.

-Thor represents the Norse Kratos, a man famed as a Destroyer, who caused untold destruction and death, yet has a path of redemption where he tries to do right for his only remaining child after killing his eldest child (Modi and Calliope respectively). Both also were belittled and killed by their abusive fathers and were treated as workhorses only fit for serving, killing and destroying. Both also killed their own mothers (Thor killed Fjorgyn by being birthed by her, Kratos was forced to kill Callisto the moment she told him that Zeus was his father because she turned into a monster).

[katerinaaqu]

Katya hi 🖐🏼

Can you name the myths where Zeus r*ped someone? Because I honestly only know Ganymede and Io, but since people call Zeus a r*pist i need more information

Okay for once I wouldn't censor the word. Words have power but by censoring it will not make it as less bad. (Although I understand people being sensitive, understandable)

Now it heavily depends on what the word "rape" is defined when it comes to the gods. Many of the unions between gods and humans can be seen as boarderline non-consensual till actual invoce of violence (for example there is the story between Daphne and Apollo or many of his lovers that were literally running away from him before Apollo catching up with them and they had to be turned into plants or other to escape)

With Zeus many of his affairs can be seen as non-consensual if seen literally. For example even his union with Alcmene is interesting because he approaches her taking the form of her husband. So she was willing but she didn't know that the man before her wasn't her husband and in fact she feels ashamed later thus wishing to bed her husband to wash away the shame (thus Heracles and Iphicles having different fathers despite the fact that they are twins). In the story Alcmene gives her consent but she doesn't know she is being tricked. Stories like Danae, mother to Perseus might as well be seen as interesting for he mates with her in the form of golden rain. The consent or absense of it are not touched. Is Danae aware and willing or perhaps she is completely unaware that the god is there to copulate with her? Europa is also kidnapped by Zeus in the form of a Bull but their union being of consent or not can be obcure (same with Ganimedes)

By n large there is a gray zone between consent and absense of it in Zeus's affairs with mortals possibly because symbolically the Greeks wanted to show that Mortals should never oppose the will of gods. Kidnapping myths also seem to be a sybol on how people of virtue get chosen by the gods as a natural consequence. Zeus's affairs with mortals in the shape of an animal (for example Leda in the form of a swan) seem a gray zone too given the symbolisms of the animals. Should we say that Leda had some sort of passion for swans? Or that the swan took her perforce? Well in art for example Leda seems more than just willing to accept him for instance.

Now his affairs with gods seem to be more cut and clean to the senses of consent. Although there are also again some gray zones for example Zeus seducing his daughter, Persephone in the form of a snake, resulting to the birth of Zagreus (who in Orphic tradition is killed by Hera and dismembered, eventually put together and he is re-incarnated as Dionysus). Was that a conscious choice of Persephone to accept this or not? Hard to tell

For example the goddess Asteria is clearly pursued by Zeus to bed her and she either changes forms in heavens (thus her name that means "stars") and eventually she throws herself in the sea transforming to the island Delos, which became the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis There are two contradictory myths in regards to his relationship with Aphrodite. He tries to force himself on her and she repells him or tries to avoid him (however at other accounts Aphrodite willingly goes to his bed, causing the wrath of Hera and resulting to the birth of Priapos, a child ugly and deformed (he is also known for his large manhood that is symbol of fertility which makes sense given the identity of his parents)

But I think it is wrong to put the characterization "rapist" to gods so directly for myths and allegories for the simple reason that the affairs of gods with humans or each other had also some hidden symbolism (unlike the actions of mortals that are cut and clean for what they are). Animals mentioned in the unions of gods have their symbolism, forceful or unwilling affairs with gods could also be seen as symbolism on the helplessness of humans to resist the will of the gods. On the other hand that is also biased to say that this is for all cases of gods to the totality of greek literature. For example in the Odyssey we touch the forceful affairs of Odysseus with two goddesses Circe and Calypso with the second one be straight out referred to as raping him ("laying in her bed, unwilling to the arms of the willing"). So I should say it vastly depends on the context of the scripts.

Mythical scripts are symbols and allegories while poetry is more literal because its reason is to envoke feelings and emotions to the public thus transfering real situations.

I hope that makes sense

[i-will-change-this-someday]

Here are my thoughts on The Vengeance Saga.

(Spoilers ahead)

I enjoyed it, I don’t think it’s my favorite, but I still really like it.

I think it’s because this is the first saga to come out after I started listening, but the transitions to each song seems a bit abrupt.

Cause when I think about it, the cut from Just A Man to Full Speed Ahead, Open Arms to Warrior Of The Mind, and The Underworld to No Longer You are all pretty abrupt as well.

Pretty sure this is an unpopular opinion, but Calypso is... fine? She's not good by any means, but people act like she's evil incarnate.

I don't know if I'm missing something here, but why are people making her out to be most evil character in all of EPIC?

Polyphemus thinks it's fair to kill 600 people over the life of one sheep (That he would have killed and eaten anyway?)

Poseidon kills over 500 men all for his own pride (I really don't think he actually cared that much about Polyphemus given how crass he sounded about killing him)

Circe turns men into pigs (And eats them?) without giving them a chance at proving that they mean no harm

Odysseus sacrifices the lives of his men who he is captain to, and I might be talking nonsense, but I feel like that means that he has a responsibility to them and their safety, he is their captain, they are saying "I trust you with my life and to take me home" and he betrayed that trust

All of them do these awful things, but you can understand why they do. But for some reason the same is not given to Calypso, she literally says he is all she's ever known. It's not fair for her to keep Odysseus on the island, but can you blame her when letting him go means she'll be alone again? Would you be able to let the one and only person you have ever met go? Knowing you'd likely be alone again forever?

Anyway what I don't see nearly enough is hatred for Antinous, I hate that man, he's literally a child abuser (I know Telemachus isn't a child, but he was at one point and Antinous was there [Telemachus literally doesn't even know how to fight] do you really think he didn't abuse that child?) That man is (assumedly) already nobility, but that's not good enough for him, he needs to be king and will force himself onto Penelope and kill her son.

Okay rant over, anyways Dangerous is a bop.

I really do adore Troy's voice, and really like his music (I'm actually listening to his music as I write this)

Dangerous is probably my favorite song this saga, but only in terms of "I will listen to this outside of a full listen of the musical" I probably wouldn't listen to the others without context of the rest of the musical.

How do you pronounce Charybdis?

I do feel like he got past Charybdis really easily, but I get that Poseidon was the focus for the saga, so I don't mind it.

Steven Rodriguez's voice is so good.

I was kinda hoping for one more verse from Poseidon before Odysseus's line but that's alright

At this point I shouldn't even be surprised if there's a Polites cameo

Also I feel like this is a given, But Jorge's voice is also amazing, and he really gave his all for the screams and yells this saga.

Okay, time for another tangent, I'll admit the wind bag jetpack is kinda goofy, but it's really not that bad to me. Ancient Greece also didn't have high fives (I'm pretty sure anyways) but people don't say anything about that, also the slang "sick" probably wasn't invented in ancient Greece. (I will say, I did like one idea I saw that someone say [I'm sorry, I don't remember who] that the wind bag split the ocean and they were fighting on the ocean floor)

I've seen a lot of people be mad that Odysseus beat Poseidon, but I feel like it would have been unsatisfying if he just lost. Like say he didn't beat him, and was getting beaten up until Zeus or someone was like "Yo, chill bro that dude is like fine or whatever, let him go" I feel like that would have been an underwhelming conclusion to the Vengeance Saga.

Like sure, should Poseidon been able to kill Odysseus? Yes. But don't humans beat the Gods in some stories? (I‘ll be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about Greek mythology and most of what I do know is from PJO which I haven’t read in a while.) Like Arachne was a better weaver than Athena, or Diomedes wounded Ares (?) so I feel like it’s not that unreasonable.

I’m not saying you have to like it, I just feel like people are saying it’s bad without giving an alternative that would be narratively satisfying. Like, it’s satisfying to get to see Odysseus knock Poseidon down a peg, it’s compelling to see how much Odysseus has become a monster, and wonder how much more he will fall to monstrosity before he returns home.

To me, the story is a tragedy about a man who wanted something so much he gave everything he had, his morals, his companions, his compassion, he gave everything for it, and in the end he became someone else entirely.

Ody beating up Poseidon shows how much he has changed, if he had lost and just pleaded with him, how is he any different from the Odysseus that got on his knees and begged a god to spare a life in the very first song? He's not that man anymore, he has changed so much that it's, at least in this moment, a god kneeling and begging.

[helpfandom]

Platonic Yandere BTAS villains pt3

Ra's al Ghul

Clock King

Max Zeus { Also known as: Maxamillion, Maxie Zeus}

Scarface and Ventriloquist

Thank you yandere-auxillary https://www.tumblr.com/helpfandom/724022554446135296/types-of-yandere?source=share

Ra's Al Ghul: This man is Possessive, Manipulative, and Clingy. Don't you realize that all of this is for your safety? He has major trust issues with children, wondering if the child who will now be his new heir will betray him just like Talia would. How y'all would meet is quite honestly, a coin flip, I am unsure of what specifics he needs for a darling, nor what would be needed for a meeting, hence why I don't know. My apologies. He's manipulative in that he has no guilt in forcing you to come with him, using his excuse of 'just an old man' to trick you into coming close to the vehicle while you help him... I don't think he sees you as you anymore, he sees you as more of an heir, a doll to become the next in the Al Ghul line.

Clock King: Obsessive, Impulsive, Self-Indulgent. He's always been shown to be obsessive, with -likely, because of my own characteristics of him having OCD, hence his obsession with- time. He's methodical, yet impulsive once he's realized that he can't go back to the time before, to when he was 'normal', when everything was right. on. time. He needs a darling that understands, that sympathizes, and he would fall in obsession of following your schedule by watching you, checking every little thing you do that happens to coincide with what happened the day before, and well, since you also have a strict schedule, clearly you understand why he also has such a strict schedule and because the Mayor ruined everything, perhaps you see why he has to kill the mayor too?

Max Zeus: Delusional, man already thinks he's Zeus and if that's not delusional, then we need reevaluate delusion. Possessive, and slightly Sadistic. He thinks that you can take any hits that you may have with him as a father, seeing as he thinks of you as a god. [Obviously one of Zeus' children, so at least you can be Apollo or Artemis or Athena or...] Never the less, the wants to control all that you do and yet nothing you do at the same time. He has no jealousy, but can't stand to see you try to do something that goes outside of your little box together that he set for you.

Scarface and Ventriloquist: Self-Indulgent, Overprotective, Clingy, are all traits of Ventriloquist, but Scarface? Sadistic, Delusional, Impulsive. Not a good combination. They each combat the other's traits, while only providing a toxic [not to say that Yandere isn't toxic but I digress] environment for someone to be around, much less someone they want to protect. Scarface would surprisingly be the one to fall into delusion first, with Ventriloquist being the second to become obsessed. Your uncaring attitude went a long way to becoming their new heir. Scarface wants you to take over the criminal business, whilst Ventriloquist wants you to stay as far away from it as one can be in Gotham. This just causes tensions amongst all of the criminals as the child who doesn't want to be here is clamored after.

[littlesparklight]

There's a distinct... part coyness, part discomfort, part aggressive disavowal (through policing) of "contra-normative" women's sexuality as displayed in Greek myth that's really interesting.

Like, on the one hand we have Kalypso:

“Cruel are ye, O ye gods, and quick to envy above all others, seeing that ye begrudge goddesses that they should mate with men openly, if any takes a mortal as her dear bed-fellow. [...]" (Odyssey, Book 5 line 117ff)

Who is blending her own situation where she's the one in power taking what she wants, together with Eos' actions (which are probably rather similar to her's), and then with Demeter sleeping with Iasion, which by all accounts is not Demeter forcing herself on an unwilling mortal man (though sometimes he is portrayed as forcing himself on her). But whether there is perfect equivalence with Kalypso's exempla or not, her complaint in itself is not wrong.

Not wrong at all!

The gods have the typical male license to do what they want, regardless of any individual willingness of either goddesses or mortal women, and they won't be censured for this. Goddesses, though they can sleep with mortal men if they wish, cannot do so openly and without having their "honour" defended - this is usually why Zeus kills Iasion, when he's not portrayed as forcing himself on her. They sleep out in the open and are seen, and this is not to be borne.

Kalypso, even if Hermes isn't here to put a stop to her claiming of Odysseus because she's acting out of bounds (merely because Athena wants to facilitate Odysseus going home), still immediately connects Hermes coming to her with this - and she calls out the double standard.

Baldly and boldly!

And this happens in a text that is several thousands of years old! (It's so fascinating and surprising to me that we both get to see this sort of thing and a situation where a male character is portrayed in a situation of sexual assault from a woman.)

Then we have Eos, who is quite known for her pursuits of youths much like male gods will pursue women and youths themselves. Eos, who gets pointedly portrayed with wings, to ensure us we understands that this isn't a regular mortal woman - this is not something a woman could do, in real life, don't worry men! But yet she is still included, her desire for these youths explicitly erotic.

(I've read some things that both point out the whole "this is impossible in real life" via her having wings, and the fact that Eos might have had something of a psychopomp connection far in the past, of a dawn goddess bearing away the souls of the dead.)

There's the women who experiences desire for someone other than their husband and take the plunge to act against normative expectations and approach the object of their desire with a proposition for sex. Anteia/Stheneboia, the wife of Proteus, Astydamia, the wife of Akastos, not quite the same but still similar, Phaidra; each of them when they are ~manfully rebuffed~ by their oh so lawful and self-controlled objects of desire, turn around and accuse these young men of rape.

And each time myths will have them be believed, their husbands avenging their supposed assaults in various ways, and the women, in turn usually getting punished in one way or another. Transgressing the limits of a woman's life gets you punished.

And then there is Helen.

Helen and her agency, Helen and her desire. Helen who makes her suitors want to become her husband, not to bring her away as their blooming bride. Helen who leaves Sparta, her husband and her child, with a foreigner.

Seduced, desiring Helen, whose husband is known by her name instead of she known by his (Alexander, husband of lovely-haired Helen). Helen who blames herself, who every other writer blames for being a bad woman for taking instead of being taken...