Theomachy

Theomachy in Greek ( /θiˈɒməki/; Greek: θεοί = gods + μάχη = battle) means battle of the gods.

It is a reference to battles fought against or among the Greek Olympians.

The Olympus Rebellion

Early in Zeus' tenure as lord of Olympus, Hera, infuriated at her husband's rampant infidelity, organized her fellow Olympians in an effort to usurp the throne. So they trapped him in a magical net, threatening that they would keep him in there for all eternity unless he promised to become a better sovereign.

The Trojan War

The gods were once again divided against one another, each supporting a different side during the Trojan War. In the Iliad, two theomachies occur. One is fought between Diomedes with the direct aid of Athena against Ares. Ares is wounded by the spear guided by Athena; this is the first theomachy to occur chronologically in the Iliad. The second occurs between Hera and Artemis.

This battle is shown by Homer to be almost playful as Hera is smiling while she boxes the ears of Artemis, which causes Artemis to fly away in tears. At one point during the Iliad, Poseidon challenges Apollo to fight. Apollo rejects his offer and comments on the triviality of gods fighting over the whims of mortals while their own pain from injury would be transitory and quickly healed. Theomachy is purposely added to show the unbridgeable gap between mortal men and the immortals who rule them. By showing the triviality of divine pain, human suffering is highlighted.