Board Thread:Antaeus' Arena: Audience Chamber/@comment-1515612-20150426033044/@comment-1820614-20150501042242

8th Hero of Olympus wrote: As for why Zeus is King? Well, it is kind of unfair, given that Hades, being Kronos' firstborn son, should technically be considered the heir to the throne

I wouldn't think this would apply to Zeus and Hades. Being the dawn of time, the rule of firstborn son succeeding the father had not been established yet. If anything, Zeus coming to power was the rule. Ouranos became king thanks to being the most powerful male figure around. Kronos set the precedent by being the youngest child and lead his brothers to overthrowing his father. And despite being the youngest was the most powerful of the Titans. Zeus followed that precedent by being the youngest child and leading his brothers in revolt against their father. As the youngest and leader of the revolt and possibly most powerful of his siblings by established precedent he becomes king. The whole drawing of lots was kind of generous on his part and gave his two brothers an equal shot at being king.

ShadowOfOblivion7119 wrote:

But I don't understand, WHY do they despise and fear him.

In mythology the Olympians, being immortal, did not like anything associated with death. Dead bodies were considered "unclean" and contact with them had to be ritualistically purified. Hades got stuck with the job of watching over the dead making him associated with it. He became the oddball who doesn't spend his time on Olympus or in the mortal world, but doing an actual job. The underworld itself is a gloomy place with mostly no light. The Olympians being hedonists do not like that.

So Hades became feared because he is associated with everything the Olympians themselves do not like. It is the "other." And I think Hades close association with death gives him an understanding of it the other Olympians can never have or begin to comprehend. And the whole idea of the underworld may even somewhat scare them.

Erick.baez.773 wrote:

There are several reasons why Hades isn’t king.

1. Even though Hades is more powerful, that doesn’t mean he has to be king. Look at Poseidon. He’s more powerful than Zeus and more likable, but he isn’t king either. Zeus is better at ruling than Poseidon and Hades.

2. Hades radiates fear. Everyone doesn’t like being around him. Everyone is afraid of him. Everyone hates him (or doesn’t like him so much). How can he be king if no one wants to be even around him ?

3. After the Titan war, the gods, like 8th said (Hi 8th), drew 3 lots and Hades, got the worst out of the 3. Zeus became the god of the sky, but also the god of ruler, kings and all. Hades didn’t. Also, I guess its fair that Zeus becomes king since he saved all his brothers and sisters.

1. What proof is there that either Hades or Poseidon are more powerful than Zeus? At worst, they are around the same level. At best, we have a few comments on how Zeus is the most powerful god and the Master Bolt is the most powerful weapon and how the other gods are afraid of his raw power. It has been implied that Zeus is the most powerful of the twelve. Nothing to really show he is a better ruler than the other two.

2.  Hades' helmet radiates fear. Hades might have this power, but it wouldn't mean everyone is instantly afraid of him or hates him. Ares radiates violent emotions, but we don't know if that power can affect other gods or how much given how Aphrodite hangs out with him and does not want to fight all of the time. And Hades could be king the same way Kronos was king...by being the most feared being around that the other gods are too scared to disobey him. Percy Jackson's Greek Gods made it clear Kronos' brothers were all afraid of him and his temper. Hard to say if any even liked him. Yet Kronos was king.

3.  I do wonder how bound to the lots agreement Hades still feels thousands of years later and how the gods treated him like crap for eons.