The Greco-Roman myth is characterized by familial power struggles which mean that power structure was primarily hereditary as power revolved around one family. Familial power structures are reflected by the way Zeus allocated responsibilities to his sons and daughters. The gods, such as Zeus father, killed their sons for fear that they would usurp them while there were also incidences where gods would be dethroned from power. The Greco-Roman myth reflects the way power struggles interfere with the functioning of the society and the extent to which those in authority are willing to go in sustaining their authority and passing their reign to their chosen successors. Moreover, the myths also create the impression of the influence minorities can have in controlling power struggles.
The power struggles surrounding the gods are seen as ones where children took control of the power of their fathers and vise versa through means that could be seen depicted as ‘coup’ in modern time. While Cronus, the father of Zeus, had usurped control over the heavens from his father, he never wanted the same to happen to him, hence he ended up swallowing his children, but Zeus was lucky enough to be saved by his mother. Such situations where there are some form of hostile power takeovers create the impression of an authoritarian power structure by the major gods. The battle for power is also seen where Titans tries to wrestle control of the world from the Olympian gods. Actions of Zeus imprisoning Titan in the deepest underworld also prove the authoritarian nature of the Olympian gods.
The power struggles contributed to more suspicions which resulted into Zeus swallowing the children he thought would try to usurp him while bestowing those he trusted with various roles as gods and goddesses. The mythology of the ancient Greeks presents a scenario where there were demigods, heroes, monsters and Deities all with the capacity to influence the way the society functioned. With more and unique power among them, the gods and goddess in the ancient Greek were characterized by their jealousness, pride, and hunger for revenge which all indicated that there were elements of power struggles. Through their power, the gods were willing to reward those who abode by the moral principles laid out while those who defied the expectations of the society were required to pay a higher price which in this case could involve being field.
The Olympian gods were basically the rulers at the time who lived in the Olympus Mountains and included six gods and six goddesses. Zeus was the king of the gods and goddess and therefore had the power to influence the functioning of the other deities. While Zeus was the most powerful, he had more power bestowed on him such that he was the protector of justice, authority and was the one to ensure social order remained stable. The power structure also created the impression that women could rise against social expectations by holding power in the areas that are most important such as military skill, control of cities and being the goddess of wisdom. The power of women and their influence on the society is reflected by Athena, the daughter of Zeus whom the myths depict as a virgin who would resist sexual advances from gods and men. Athena, therefore, proves that women could possess power and the fact that while it is believed that gods and men have control over men, the case is different as shown by Athena.
Through Zeus, there is the element of rational power where a top-down structure exists such that Zeus delegates responsibilities to other familial gods and goddess. The supreme authority of Zeus is proven where he was the one involved in giving punishments for the wrongs committed. Zeus as the king was also responsible for ensuring that peace prevailed among the gods where he intervened in situations such as reconciling Apollo and Hermes when they engage in fights. However, the decision by Hermes to steal Apollo’s cattle could be seen as a way to win his rightful place among the Olympians since he was also a son of Zeus. Hermes intentions could be seen as that which is focused on becoming equal to Apollo. By stealing the cattle and being discovered by Apollo, the case is brought to their father who is convinced that Hermes stole the cattle.
However, denial by Hermes makes Apollo to offer him roles such as the messenger of the gods besides being the protector of travelers, thieves, merchants and herds. The delegated power structure is also evident through Apollo who was the god of light, prophecy, and arts. Apollo was in this case responsible for ensuring that health and prosperity prevailed by assisting in the ripening of the grains and blooming of flowers. However, through the power he shared with his sister Artemis, it is also proof that women played a key role in the Greek myths where the two joined hands in spreading disease and sending sudden deaths to men and animals. The Iliad is also believed to have carried functions similar to those of Apollo and Artemis when his anger made him descend his arrows on the animals and men. The power of goddess is reflected through Medea who through her healing power was able to save the life of Jason. Medea is depicted as a goddess who was loving and was willing to protect those she loved. The familial power struggles also reflect the power of women in the society like the case where Medea tries to poison Theseus, the king so that the throne would pass onto her son.
Medea is, therefore, a strong goddess capable of doing things that could be beyond the expectations of the society since it is a rare scenario to see a woman have the courage to pass the throne to her son. The power of women and her ability to rise to the societal expectations is seen where Medea returns to Colchis and restores the throne to her father who had earlier been deprived the throne by his brother. Through Medea therefore, it is evident that women could actively take part in power struggles. The power of goddess in the Greek- Roman myth is also reflected in Medea who through her skills in healing and use of herbs helped Jason achieve the impossible task of retrieving the Golden Fleece which then prove that women could use their powers in the most subtle ways. Jason and Argonauts also show the ways power struggles led to Kings going to the extent of giving their own sons difficult tasks in efforts to maintain familial thrones. Argonauts were part of the heroes that accompanied Jason to Colchis, overcoming all barriers including fighting kings who thought they would kill them by engaging them in battles.
While it is evident that there were major power struggles in the Greco-roman myth, it is also clear the women played a lesser role in the struggles. The goddesses are depicted as people who played the role of healing and taking care of the society and had a lesser impact on the power struggles except for Medea who played roles in dethroning and killing of kings. Power struggles in the Greco-Roman myths also reflect the way rulers strive for power even if its means eliminating those they suspect of usurping power from them including their own sons. The myths also create the impression that power struggles lead to situations where those in power are only keen on relinquishing such power to their preferred successors.
Works Cited
Berens, E. The myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome. New York: Maynard, Merrili & Co, 2007. Web.
Leeming, David. The world of myths. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. Web.
Matyszak, Philip. The Greek and Roman Myths. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2010. Web.
