Bia (mythology)

Bia (Ancient Greek: Βία, meaning "Force" or "Violence") is the Greek goddess and personification of force and energy. She is the daughter of the Titan Pallas and Styx. Her siblings are Nike (Victory), Kratos (Strength), and Zelus (Zeal). The four siblings are often found in the company of Zeus, having played a key role in his victory during the Titanomachy.

Bia is typically portrayed as a powerful and unwavering figure. Her role is primarily that of an enforcer of Zeus's will, reflecting the raw power and authority he commands. One of her most notable appearances is in Aeschylus's tragedy Prometheus Bound, where she and Kratos, acting under Zeus's orders, forcibly chain Prometheus to a rock as punishment for his defiance and for giving fire to mankind. In this play, Bia is largely a silent figure, representing the inexorable and brutal force of Zeus's justice. Her lack of dialogue in the play emphasizes the purely physical and unyielding nature of her power.

Bia is a relatively minor figure in Greek mythology compared to some other deities. However, her representation of raw force and coercion provides valuable insight into the Greek understanding of power dynamics and the consequences of opposing the established order. She embodies the inescapable nature of consequences, and acts as a tool through which divine will is enacted upon others.