Final answer:
In Greek mythology, Gaia subverts authority by instigating the overthrow of Uranus and later aiding in the protection of Zeus from Cronus, while Rhea directly contributes by deceiving Cronus to save Zeus. Through these actions, both deities facilitated the shift in power from the primordial beings to the Olympians.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to circulate around a mythological or historical context, most likely referencing Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of Earth and one of the Greek primordial deities. As the mother of the Titans, she plays a pivotal role in the cosmic order. Her daughter, Rhea, is another significant figure, known as the mother of the Olympian gods and goddesses. Their actions in subverting authority likely refer to the myth where Gaia and Rhea conspire to overthrow Uranus and then later Cronus, due to their tyrannical rule over the cosmos and their offspring.
One example of Gaia's role in subverting authority is when she persuades her son Cronus to rebel against his father, Uranus, leading to Uranus's dethronement. Rhea's contribution to subversion occurs when she tricks Cronus into swallowing a stone instead of their youngest child, Zeus, thereby saving Zeus and allowing him to later challenge and overthrow Cronus's rule. Through these acts, both Gaia and Rhea are instrumental in the shift of power from the first generations of gods to the Olympian gods, setting the stage for a new era in mythological history.
The involvement of Gaia in pleading for her son's life in the conflict between Athena and the giant Alkyoneus, as depicted in the frieze, further shows her protective nature and indirect challenges to the authority of the Olympian gods. This protective stance can be seen as subverting the Olympian authority by showing compassion and maternal instincts over the divine will of conquest and victory.