Themis, Goddess of Law and Order, sat at the podium in her judicial robes and banged her gavel to bring the court room to order. The trial was beginning. The first charge, a world's population worth of first degree murder. His brother, Poseidon testified as an accomplice. Everyone knew he had been given a plea deal for his part in the flooding of the earth in exchange for this testimony. His own trial would be held later that day. Zeus argued that it had been a crime of passion, not premeditated, as he was urged into action by the wretchedness of the humans. He also argued that it was a God's right to do as he wished to the earth and it's puny humans. However, Themis- being the just woman she was and knowing the laws as she intimately as she did- acknowledged the humans unalienable right to freedom of choice in their existence. Zeus had no authority to decide that all but two mortals must die. Verdict: Guilty, Murder in the Second Degree.
The next charges to be brought before Themis were two counts of Rape in the first degree. Zeus had assaulted, and later indirectly caused the deaths of, two women. Callisto and Io. Overcome with hatred and jealousy, his own wife Hera had agreed to testify against him. She spoke of his past infidelities in their marriage. In the process of outing her husband to the court, Hera had inadvertently admitted to being the one that had actually murdered Io. Her trial has been arranged for later in the week. Artemis, goddess of the hunt, spoke to the fate of Callisto. The poor girl had been found with child as a result of her encounter with Zeus. The great huntress had no choice but to banish her from her following as she was no longer pure, but her heart ached for the girl who had been a devoted member of the group before then. Verdict: Guilty, Rape in the First Degree.
The next part would be the hardest for Themis. Sentencing is always difficult, for how can one adequately punish a God?
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| Source: WikiMedia Commons |
Deucalion and Pyrrha, Tony Kline
Io, Tony Kline
Callisto, Tony Kline
Hi Jessica!
ReplyDeleteFirstly, the idea of Zeus coming to terms with his impulses is well-deserved. I was itching to read about something terrible happening to him, and dealing justice out using Themis is a logical and satisfying concept.
I'm curious as to whether Zeus is even serious about the proceedings though. He's so powerful and clearly has no respect for rules when they aren't his cup of tea. Could Hera have helped to organize the proceedings, perhaps using some kind of bargaining chip against him (a son maybe)? I think Hera at some point quit arguing with him about his infidelity, and turned bitter, directing her rage only at his lovers. Maybe this could be her justice as well.
I'd love to know who arrested him! How did he agree to come quietly, and is the entire courtroom holding their breath as to whether or not he'll thunderbolt them all?
Hey Jessica, excellent retelling idea. I really like what you’ve done with this story, completely flipping a few stories on their heads. I like how you left the ending open ended, because I imagine the author would agree with Themis that finding a sentence befitting a God is difficult. I would definitely be interested in what happens in Mt. Olympus after this sentencing. I would love to see a “House of Cards” –esque retelling of the power struggles after the indictment of Zues.
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