The Mark Of Athena

Two contrasting ways of understanding the relationship between gods and mortals in Greek mythology are: 1) The gods are remote from and insensitive to human suffering, and 2) The gods feel so deeply for the mortals for whom they provide patronage that it becomes a source of conflict and potential instability within the pantheon. At various points in the narrative, Riordan draws on both conceptions.

Antagonism between gods and mortals can seem to result from the gods’ lack of concern for mortal suffering. Arachne offends Athena, possibly simply by being a highly talented and skilled weaver, and the goddess curses her to become a monstrous spider. Hercules was tormented by Hera, who took her anger at Zeus for fathering famous children with mortal women out on Hercules. Once elevated to godhood, however, Hercules repeats the same mistakes as the gods, punishing Jason and Piper for something that is beyond their control. Aphrodite seems more interested in an interesting love story than she does about her own daughter. Across the series, immortals repeatedly use mortals to satisfy their anger at each other or to pursue their own agendas, as Hera shapes Leo’s life to suit her own needs.