The Theogony and Burma

The story of how Zeus establishes a stable order in the Theogony is the story of the transition from the dominance of the logic of force and violence to a politics of honor, respect and persuasion.

Like Athena in the Eumenides, who respects the position and duties of the Furies in order to establish stability in her city, Zeus offers certain members of the generation Titans respect and honor in exchange for their loyalty. Styx, the daughter of Okeanos, who bore Rivalry, Victory, Force and Power (ll.383-5), agrees to fight with Zeus after he agreed to respect the position and privilege of any of the old gods who fought on his side (ll.393-7).

Although force is involved in Zeus's rise to power, his ability to win the Battle with the Titans and, ultimately, to establish a stable order depends not on force, but on this agreement to do justice by respect. Power is never won by force, but only by convincing others that they too will benefit from the order established.

This is a lesson humanity has been slow to learn. Take as an example, the current situation in Burma, whose name was changed to Myanmar by the ruling Junta in 1989. For background information, see the coverage from Truthdig.

A video that chronicles the violent attempts to maintain control can be seen in the following YouTube clip from the BBC: