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Bia, a MythSource painting
Greek

Bia

Force · Violence · Might

01Identity

Bia in Greek tradition

When Zeus summons allies for the war against the Titans, Bia goes to Olympus with Styx, Nike, Kratos and Zelos. Bia is the Greek deity of force, violence, might and coercion, and after the Titans are defeated Zeus honours her and keeps her beside his throne. Her symbols include iron fetters, Prometheus's chains, the enforcing hand and the wings of force.

Top questions

The quick answers

  • Who is Bia?

    Bia is a Greek deity associated with force and power; violence; coercion and compulsion; physical strength; and enforcement of divine authority.
    Source

    Source

    • War in Greek Mythology
    • Performing Prowess Essays on Localized Hindu Elements in Southeast Asian Art from Past to Present [cornell DSpace]
    • Greek Mythology: August 2018
    • Dictionary of Mythology

  • What is Bia the goddess of?

    Bia is associated with force and power; violence; coercion and compulsion; physical strength; and enforcement of divine authority.
    Source

    Source

    • War in Greek Mythology
    • Performing Prowess Essays on Localized Hindu Elements in Southeast Asian Art from Past to Present [cornell DSpace]
    • Greek Mythology: August 2018

  • What family links are recorded for Bia?

    Father: Pallas, Mother: Styx, 3 siblings.
02Family

Bia’s family, at a glance

PallasStyx
BiaKratosNikeZelus
03The names

The names Bia answers to

Force

The power to compel or overcome resistance

SourceWar in Greek Mythology

Violence

Physical or coercive violence

SourceWar in Greek Mythology

Might

Strength or overpowering power

SourceDictionary of Mythology

Compulsion

The power to compel obedience

SourceWar in Greek Mythology

04The myths

The myths of Bia

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Bia’s Alliance with Zeus in the Titanomachy

Zeus called the gods to aid him in his war against the Titans. Styx came first to Olympus. She was the eldest daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, and her children, Bia, Nike, Kratos, and Zelos, joined her. Bia embodied force and violent compulsion. Nike represented victory, Kratos strength, and Zelos rivalry.

The conflict became the Titanomachy, a ten-year war between Zeus and the Titans. The Titans held their stronghold on Mount Othrys, while Zeus and his allies fought from Olympus. The Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires also supported Zeus. The Cyclopes had forged his thunderbolts, along with Poseidon’s trident and Hades’ helmet of darkness. These weapons later helped break the deadlock.

Zeus and his brothers and sisters, aided by the Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes, overthrew Cronus and the Titans. Many of the defeated Titans were confined in Tartarus. Menoetius was struck by Zeus’s thunderbolt and hurled there during the battle. Oceanus, Helios, Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Menoetius are also named among those who escaped, although the accounts differ concerning Menoetius.

Zeus rewarded Styx and her children for their help. Bia, Nike, Kratos, and Zelos became his constant companions and held a permanent place beside his throne. Zeus also made the waters of Styx the witness of oaths. In one account, these waters flowed from a rock in Hades. Styx’s journey before she came to Olympus is less clear, though Hesiod describes her as a branch of Oceanus flowing beneath the earth through black night.

Bia’s Alliance with Zeus in the Titanomachy, a MythSource painting of the scene

3 sources· checked 2026-08-18

  1. 1Light and Darkness in Ancient Greek Myth and ReligionT1
  2. 2Apollodorus, The LibraryT1

    Quote

    “Styx brought her children Bia, Nike, Kratos and Zelos to Zeus, who honoured them for joining his side and made the waters of Styx the witness by which the gods swore.”

    Apollodorus, The Library

  3. 3War in Greek MythologyT1