Little Sister

We've all heard the tale of how Zeus defeated Cronus, then drew lots with his two brothers (Hades and Poseidon) for who would rule the different parts of creation. There are other things we have all heard, and never questioned the origins. This tale is to set that record straight.1

In the beginning... 2

If you ask someone to pick a number between one and ten, most will say, "Seven," without thinking about it. Of those who do not, they say, "Three," most often. Well, three is picking seven from the other direction. Why is seven so important? Depends on who you ask. It's a lucky number is the most often given answer there. Why? No one seems to remember that there were seven children of Cronus and Rhea. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, Hera and Inari.3

The full story is more like this...4

When their parents were properly disposed of and the boys were drawing lots to see who got what piece of the pie, the four girls were engaged in similar dividings, but in a more civilized way, as women are wont to do. 5

They chose items one at a time in order of eldest to youngest. Hestia chose the Hearth, as she was used to taking care of her siblings. Hera chose Marriage, as she had her eye on being the Queen of Zeus. Demeter chose Fertility, as she loved the growing things. Inari's first choice was Memory. And so it went in rounds. Many believe that there were other goddesses or gods responsible for all that Inari was, but they are vague on where these others came from. In the end, Inari's main realms were Memory, the related field of History, and Righteous Vengeance.6

Even those aware of the story more, will always forget to include the stories of Inari. Why? She was many things, but they've all been buried as the legends fade to myths. To some, she is the more logical mother of Athena, instead of her nonsensically springing from Zeus' head, as Inari was the Goddess of Righteous Vengeance, among other things.7

It became evident, however, as more Olympians were born, that there would not be room for all to be remembered. Finally, Hestia stepped aside for Bacchus, and Inari was shunned. Hestia was gracious. Inari... Inari was not.8

Inari had her hand in many more tales than any other of the Olympians, but it seemed that no one remembered her. The mother of the Furies, and of the Gorgons. The grandmother of the Muses. She who gave Pythea and Cassandra the abilities to see History yet to come. As was the habit, gods and goddesses were referred to as the realms they represented. Ares was simply "the War god," and then later, just "War," as time went on. Mnemosyne was known as "Memory" and "Righteous Vengeance" sounded too pompous, even for a goddess. And so it came to pass that Inari was better known as "History" to the people. They forgot her and to them she became an abstract.9

So as the ages forgot Inari, she lay her curse upon not just the Olympians, but all of mankind as she sulked in her castle, visited only by her sister Hestia now and again. In a rage at being so neglected, Inari travelled back to Olympus. Upon reaching the gates and being challenged, she pushed aside the guard and stormed into the great dining hall where Zeus and the rest of the Olympians consumed their ambrosia.10

"Brothers!" cried out Inari.11

Zeus simply glanced up at her and made a gesture with his hand that he usually reserved to dismiss servants.12

"Why," smiled Poseidon, "It's little... oh, what's her name... it's on the tip of my tongue... History?" He very well knew her name, and only taunted her. The same from nearly all of the others gathered. Only three -- Hades, Hephæstus and Hestia -- took her side and welcomed their little sister (and aunt, in Hephæstus' case) with kisses upon her wrathful face and wrapping a robe around her.13

"I have suffered your taunts too long," she spat, her eyes blazing as she drew up all of her power as a goddess into this one, final great curse, "And I will spare only those that greeted me so closely any kind of relief. Know this, my brothers, sisters, neices and nephews... even my own daughters: From this day on, THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HISTORY SHALL BE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!"14

And thus the curse was spake. The saying is known to all. She spared the three in a way, each.15

For Hades, all -- whether they know History or do not -- fear and loathe even the mention of the underworld. Hades is more feared than his youngest brother, Zeus, ever was.16

For Hephæstus, there comes the profit for the blacksmiths... the weapons that must be continually forged as battles are fought for the same reasons generation after generation.17

But the greatest prize, was for Hestia. The goddess of the Hearth had never forsaken her youngest sister, and came to greet her when she arrived. For the Hearth... History itself will never be unknown. The Stories over the ages that told of deeds past, the records of History, were passed along by the eager ears at the feet of the StoryTellers seated in the BEST spots by the fires that lay in the Hearth.