12 questions · Mythology
Zeus is the supreme god of Greek mythology: father of the gods, lord of the sky, weather and thunderbolt, and guardian of law, oaths and hospitality. From the summit of Olympus he rules over gods and mortals. He won his power by overthrowing his father Kronos, who had swallowed him and his siblings. With his brothers Poseidon and Hades he then divided the world: Zeus took the sky, Poseidon the sea, Hades the underworld. Zeus is famous (and infamous) for his countless love affairs, from which many gods and heroes descended, and for the eternal jealousy of his wife Hera. In Roman mythology he corresponds to Jupiter, after whom the largest planet is named. His sacred animal is the eagle and his weapon the thunderbolt; for his conquests he turned into a bull, a swan and a shower of gold. His children include Athena, Apollo and Heracles. His famous oracle stood at Dodona, and the Statue of Zeus at Olympia was one of the Seven Wonders. Good to know: As father of the gods, Zeus rules the sky and the weather and watches over law, oaths and hospitality.
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the sky, weather and order
As father of the gods, Zeus rules the sky and the weather and watches over law, oaths and hospitality.
💡 Did you know? Because he guarded sacred hospitality, every stranger was seen as a possible messenger of Zeus.
by overthrowing his father Kronos
Zeus freed his swallowed siblings and led them to victory over Kronos in the ten-year war against the Titans.
💡 Did you know? The defeated Titans were cast into Tartarus, the deepest abyss of the underworld.
his mother gave Kronos a stone instead
Kronos swallowed each newborn; for Zeus, Rhea handed him a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes instead.
💡 Did you know? The hidden Zeus grew up on Crete, nursed by nymphs and the goat Amaltheia.
sky, sea and underworld were drawn by lot
After the victory the three brothers drew lots for the realms: Zeus got the sky, Poseidon the sea, Hades the underworld.
💡 Did you know? The earth and Olympus remained common to all three: but Zeus was reckoned the mightiest.
the thunderbolt
Zeus hurls the thunderbolt forged for him by the Cyclopes in gratitude for their release.
💡 Did you know? Places struck by lightning were considered sacred and fenced off in protection.
the eagle
The eagle is Zeus's messenger and companion, often carrying the thunderbolt in its talons.
💡 Did you know? As an eagle Zeus is said to have carried off the beautiful youth Ganymede, who became cupbearer of the gods.
Hera
Hera is at once the sister and wife of Zeus, queen of Olympus and goddess of marriage.
💡 Did you know? His constant affairs made Hera the most jealous of goddesses: her revenge often fell on the lovers themselves.
a bull, a swan and a shower of gold
As a bull he carried off Europa, as a swan he seduced Leda, as a shower of gold he came to Danaë.
💡 Did you know? The continent of Europe is named after the princess Europa, whom Zeus abducted.
including Athena, Apollo and Heracles
Zeus's unions produced countless gods and heroes: from Athena and Apollo to Heracles and Perseus.
💡 Did you know? Athena sprang from his head after he had swallowed her pregnant mother Metis.
at Dodona
At the oracle of Dodona the rustling of the sacred oak leaves was read as the voice of Zeus.
💡 Did you know? Dodona is considered the oldest oracle in Greece: older even than famous Delphi.
the Statue of Zeus at Olympia
The colossal gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus by the sculptor Phidias was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
💡 Did you know? In his honour the Olympic Games were held at nearby Olympia: the origin of today's Games.
Jupiter
The Romans identified Zeus with their supreme state god Jupiter, whose temple stood on the Capitoline Hill.
💡 Did you know? The largest planet, Jupiter, and (via „dies Iovis“) Thursday are named after him.
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