Kaos Zeus & Hera’s Family Tree Explained

The following contains spoilers for Kaos Season 1, now streaming on Netflix.

Kaos presents viewers with a fresh, modernized interpretation of the divine family of Zeus and Hera. In traditional Greek mythology, Zeus and Hera reign as the King and Queen of the Olympians, a relationship that Kaos creatively reimagines in its Netflix series. The show retains their mythological roles, confirming early on that Hera is both Zeus’ sister and wife. Together, they govern Olympus with strict authority, though Zeus’ growing paranoia over a prophecy begins to reveal the cracks in their relationship and power structure.

In its first season, Kaos introduces only a select few gods, allowing the narrative to also focus on significant human characters such as Orpheus and Riddy. The show also includes other mythological entities, like the Furies and the Fates, who operate independently of Zeus. However, the central storyline revolves around Zeus and Hera’s family, forming the core narrative thread that connects most of the divine characters in the series. Here’s an overview of how the family tree is depicted in Kaos, along with notable members who are absent in the first season.

Poseidon

Zeus & Hera’s Brother and Rival for Hera’s Affections

In Kaos, Poseidon is portrayed as one of Zeus and Hera’s brothers, emphasizing the complex and intertwined relationships typical of Greek mythology. As in the myths, Poseidon is one of the six children of Cronos and Rhea. Kaos references the mythological account of Cronos as a monstrous figure whom Zeus eventually defeats, paralleling the original story where Cronos devours his children until Zeus overthrows him. Afterward, Zeus divides his divine responsibilities among his siblings, appointing Poseidon as the God of the Sea, along with storms and horses.

In Kaos, this mythological relationship is complicated by an affair between Hera and Poseidon. While Poseidon is deeply in love with Hera, she dismissively indicates throughout the series that her feelings for him are negligible. This dynamic reaches a peak in the season finale when Hera cruelly rejects Poseidon’s hope to elope with her. The brotherly bond between Poseidon and Zeus is strained throughout the season, particularly as Zeus’ increasingly erratic behavior leads Poseidon to compare him to their tyrannical father.

Hades

The Other Brother of Zeus & Hera

Hades, another brother of Zeus, takes on a more subdued role in Kaos. Content with his position as the ruler of the Underworld, Hades has been reinterpreted in various ways over the years, ranging from a villainous figure to a romantic character. In Kaos, Hades is depicted as a passive character who generally follows Zeus’ commands, even enduring his brother’s wrath when he questions the deteriorating power of the Frame.

Hades’ character in Kaos is particularly poignant in relation to his brother Zeus. His concerns about the prophecy and the stability of the Frame stem from a genuine fear for Zeus’ fate, making Zeus’ angry rejection of Hades’ advice one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the season. This portrayal makes Hades one of the more sympathetic figures in Kaos, hinting at deeper layers of his character that could be explored in future seasons.

Dionysus

The Sole Child of Zeus to Appear in Kaos Season 1

Dionysus stands out as one of the most intriguing reinterpretations of the Greek gods in Kaos and is the only one of Zeus’ many children to play a significant role in the first season. As the God of revelry and madness, Dionysus is often seen as dealing with lighter aspects of the universe compared to his fellow Olympians. This sets up his season-long journey as he struggles to both gain his father’s approval and exact some form of revenge.

In Kaos, Dionysus, the product of Zeus’ affair with a mortal woman, symbolizes the delicate balance between the divine and the human. His half-human heritage is highlighted by Persephone at the season’s end as his source of strength, countering Zeus’ brutality as a sign of weakness rather than power. While other children of Zeus might emerge in potential future seasons, it’s likely that Dionysus will remain central to the show’s narrative.

Persephone

The Goddess of Spring and Hades’ Loyal Companion

Persephone plays a key supporting role in Kaos, as the wife of Hades. Throughout the series, she is depicted as a steadfast ally and confidant to her husband, urging him to confront Zeus with the truth and standing up for what she believes is right. Although not an Olympian by birth, Persephone is connected to the Pantheon through her mother, Demeter, who is Zeus and Hera’s sister in the original myths.

The story of Hades and Persephone is one of the most enduring from ancient mythology, and Kaos reinterprets it in a way that aligns with recent trends in media. In the original tales, Hades abducts Persephone and makes her his queen, a narrative that Kaos touches upon. However, in the series, it is revealed that the story of her abduction was merely a rumor spread by the Olympians, with Persephone genuinely caring for Hades. This take on their relationship adds depth to both characters, following the footsteps of other modern retellings that depict their bond as one of mutual respect and affection.

The Other Olympians

Zeus & Hera’s Other Siblings Yet to Appear

While Kaos Season 1 focuses on only a few of the Olympian gods, references to others are sprinkled throughout the episodes. In Greek mythology, the Olympians are typically a group of twelve gods, many of whom are Zeus’ siblings or offspring. The show implies that these connections still exist in this reimagined world. For instance, Demeter, another sister of Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, and Hestia, is mentioned, although she doesn’t appear in this season. Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth, is notably absent, possibly leaving room for her to join the cast in future seasons.

Demeter is referenced towards the end of the season by her daughter Persephone, while Aphrodite, another child of Zeus in this version, is briefly mentioned. While these gods do not make an appearance in the first season, their absence leaves the door open for them to play a role in potential future installments of Kaos.

Zeus’ Other Children

The Siblings of Dionysus Briefly Referenced in Season 1

Dionysus may be the only one of Zeus’ children to feature prominently in Kaos Season 1, but he’s certainly not the only one mentioned. In the second episode, on his birthday, Zeus contacts several of his other children, including Ares, the God of War, who is one of his few legitimate children with Hera. Another of Zeus and Hera’s children, Hephaestus, the God of Smithing, is also alluded to when Hera presents a weapon crafted by him.

Other offspring of Zeus mentioned in Kaos include Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom; Apollo, the God of the Sun and Music; Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt; Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love; Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods; and even the demigod hero Hercules. Each of these characters, while not appearing in the first season, adds depth to the world of Kaos and suggests that future seasons may explore their stories further.