Homer's Criticism of the Homeric Gods

Criticism of homer is very old. Much the poet's lie sounds already in solon like a proverbial saying. And in hessia, the muses admission that they know how to tell many lies seems to be directed against the homeric tales of the gods. This sharp and final judgment was formulated by xenophanes. Homer and hessiod have attributed to the gods all things which among men are reproach and blame. When hera out of petty jealousy, cruelly destroys heracles, the question is asked, to such a god, who would pray?