u/PlanNo1793

Yes, there are people who ship them.

My rational side immediately thought it was a stupid ship, since it stemmed from two characters we know so little about that literally anyone can project whatever they want onto them. But my inner "man of culture" immediately took over, imagining what a magnificent spectacle it would be to witness a pair of scissors action between the two of them.

Of course, on the other hand, Zeus now has to explain to Hera why he is cheating on her... well, why he is cheating on her with herself.

https://hera-hell.carrd.co/

I know, I know, I have some problems I should sort out.

https://hera-hell.carrd.co/

If we go by what Plutarch tells us, the answer would be yes.

However, I have read several books on the Roman priesthood, and not all scholars agree. Some concur with the Greek historian, but others claim that Plutarch was mistaken and that the Flaminica, just like her husband, was a priestess serving Jupiter, whereas it was only the Regina Sacrorum who was the priestess of Juno.

What are your thoughts?

I didn't know what title to give it, so I'd say this one is more than appropriate.

https://bsky.app/profile/hera-hell.bsky.social/post/3mvowg3uixs2d

It is at a moment like this that a man shows whether he is a man of culture.

One must imagine Sisyphus falling from a precipice.

https://bsky.app/profile/hera-hell.bsky.social

u/Bizzbell u/Glittering-Day9869 u/Imaginary-West-5653

Then Eris arrives with her apple, and at that point the war is between the four of us because each wants to reward his own goddess.

(The image is absolutely accurate because Mount Circeo overlooks a beach.)

u/hera_hell_art if you ever want to create this work of art one day. 👉👈

My Mistress is so powerful. 🩶🩶🩶

Good PlanNo: Don't do it; it's not worth getting into a stupid argument with ignorant people.

Evil PlanNo: Do it, do it! Show you've got balls and do it! Shatter their false, pristine fantasies!

I never managed to watch all of Blood of Zeus.
It’s such a boring series that I’d recommend it to anyone suffering from insomnia; rest assured, within half a minute you’ll be dozing off and sleeping like a baby.

What really bothers me, though, is that the show features such a fantastic version of Hera, not only is her character design among the best ever, but she’s finally portrayed as a powerful warrior goddess.

I simply cannot accept having such an amazing Hera in such a mediocre series.
She deserves to appear in a better-made show.

I’m almost tempted to steal this design and use it in a decent series, even if it means risking a lawsuit for copyright infringement.

Inspired by the fragment of Pherecydes.

“And Herakles drew his bow at him as if he would shoot, and Helios bade him give over; so Herakles feared and gave over. And in return Helios bestowed on him the golden goblet which carried him with his horses, when he set, through the Ocean all night to the east, where Helios rises. Then Herakles journeyed in that goblet to Erythia. And when he was on the open sea, Oceanus, to make trial of him, caused the goblet to heave wildly on the waves. Herakles was about to shoot him with an arrow; and Oceanos was afraid, and bade him give over.”

I say "semi-serious" because this post started out as something tongue-in-cheek, but then I found myself reflecting on it in an unexpected way.

I’ve always found it ridiculous that those who champion Ares as a feminist and a protector of women hate the idea of ​​syncretism with Mars because of the rape of Rhea Silvia.
Now, I don’t need to tell you how absurd that is, we’ve said ad nauseam that the notion of Ares hating rape is utter bullshit, so there’s no point repeating what’s already been said.
What I find amusing is that, by loathing the syncretism with Mars, they cut themselves off from many stories that, as Ares fans, they ought to be happy exist. Chief among them is the fact that Jupiter holds Mars in high regard; if we go by Statius, Jupiter treats Mars with a level of respect he shows to no one else. This means we have at least one tradition where the relationship between Zeus and Ares is very positive.

However, there is another point I’ve found myself reflecting on.
If I wanted stories to restore dignity and honor to Ares, I wouldn't need to rely on syncretism with Mars.
Of course, his identification with his Roman counterpart did lead to stories that gave him immense prestige, but in reality, Greek mythology already contains tales that restore respect and dignity to Ares.

Yet, many Ares fans, especially those who argue he was a protector of women, are unaware of all this.
I mean, I spend a lot of time discovering new things about the deities I’m truly passionate about, and I’m not the only one; you do it too (u/SupermarketBig3906, you’re a hero for the effort you put into your posts about Ares; I’ve discovered so much thanks to you).
That’s why I find it strange that someone who calls themselves a fan would settle for myths that humiliate him. Even artists who appreciate his figure create plenty of fan art showing him imprisoned in the jar by the Aloadae, yet none depicting the time he killed the gigantic monster, Echidna’s offspring, that was allied with Cronus.
There are so many works showing Athena knocking him out with a stone, but none depicting their duel in the Posthomerica, where they are evenly matched, and where the fight is decidedly more epic.
Perhaps the answer many would give is that these tales are less famous, but if I were an artist, I would do everything in my power to use my art to make the best myths about the god I admire known to others.

I would also add that there is evidence of his places of worship, as well as hymns and myths linked to ancient traditions, showing that in many parts of Greece he was no longer viewed merely as the bloodthirsty god of the Iliad, but also played a role in civic life.
Unfortunately, these traditions are known for the wrong reasons.
The story of Alcippe, or the statue of Ares erected in the cemetery of the women of Argos, who defended the city against the Spartan army, are today completely misrepresented and reinterpreted in a biased manner. These are certainly positive stories about him, but they certainly do not make him a feminist god (it is hard to say that without laughing).

The thing is, odd as it may sound, these fans seem to like Ares as a "loser" figure. It almost seems as though they don't want positive stories about him, perhaps because that clashes with how they want to view him, often leading them to invent things out of thin air.
Many fanfictions go so far as to portray Zeus and Hera as toxic parents, thereby making them the reason he became a violent god. These are utterly ridiculous stories that completely disregard the actual lore, in which Hera tasks the goddess Dike with raising her son Ares specifically to make him a better person, given that he had shown himself to be violent and bloodthirsty from a young age.

Inspired by Lucian's Dialogues.

APHRODITE Eros, dear, you have had your victories over most of the Gods—Zeus, Posidon, Rhea, Apollo, nay, your own mother; how is it you make an exception for Athene? against her your torch has no fire, your quiver no arrows, your right hand no cunning.

EROS I am afraid of her, mother; those awful flashing eyes! she is like a man, only worse. When I go against her with my arrow on the string, a toss of her plume frightens me; my hand shakes so that it drops the bow.

APHRODITE I should have thought Ares was more terrible still; but you disarmed and conquered him.

EROS Ah, he is only too glad to have me; he calls me to him. Athene always eyes me so! once when I flew close past her, quite by accident, with my torch, If you come near me,' she called out,I swear by my father, I will run you through with my spear, or take you by the foot and drop you into Tartarus, or tear you in pieces with my own hands'—and more such dreadful things. And she has such a sour look; and then on her breast she wears that horrid face with the snaky hair; that frightens me worst of all; the nasty bogy—I run away directly I see it.

https://bsky.app/profile/camilla-artworks.bsky.social

Camilla, your art is beautiful. <3

Hey everyone! I’m back with the finished version of the Athena drawing I posted here.

This was a project I really enjoyed working on, and my intention, despite how some people interpreted it, was never to sexualize or diminish Athena’s image. She is one of the female symbols I admire the most, and I would never intentionally do anything to disrespect or undermine her. My intention was actually to bring a sense of softness to her, not to take away her power.

I hope you can see that my intention was never to diminish her in any way.

Anyway, thank you so much for all the kind and loving comments. I plan to keep learning more about the culture and create more artwork inspired by it. I hope you enjoy it!

(Just a reminder that this artwork was inspired by a painting by Brazilian artist @fdasuarez.)

ATATATATATATATATATATA!!! UATATATATATATATATA!!! ATATATATATATATA UATA!!!