The myth of Zeus is a short retelling. Character history

During Antiquity, mythology had a huge impact on people, closely fitting into everyday life and religious customs. The main religion of this period is pagan polytheism, which was based on a large pantheon of gods. The gods of ancient Greece had a special meaning and each performed its role. In different regions there was a cult of one or another god, which was largely determined by the peculiarity of life and way of life. This article provides a list and description of the gods.

The gods were humanized, endowing them with anthropomorphic demeanor. Ancient Greek mythology had a clear hierarchy - the titans, titanides and the younger generation of gods stood out, which gave rise to the Olympians. The Olympic gods are the supreme celestials who lived on Mount Olympus. It was they who had the greatest influence on the ancient Greeks.

The ancient Greek gods of the first generation - ancient entities that gave rise to everything living and inanimate, are considered the creators of the world. They entered into a relationship, thanks to which other gods were born, who also belong to the first generation, as well as the titans. The progenitors of all the ancient Greek gods were Skotos (Mist) and Chaos. It was these two entities that gave rise to the entire primary pantheon of Ancient Greece.

The primary pantheon of the gods of ancient Greece:

• Nyukta (Nikta);
• Erebus (Darkness);
• Eros (Love);
• Gaia (Earth);
• Tartarus (Abyss);
• Uranus (Sky).

Virtually no description of each of these deities has been preserved, since subsequently the Olympians became key to the mythology of Ancient Greece.

Gods, unlike people, were allowed to enter into family ties, so children were often the fruits of incest.

The deities of the second generation are the titans, thanks to whom the Olympian gods were born. These are 6 sisters and 6 brothers who actively married among themselves and fought for power. The most revered titans are Kronos and Rhea.

Olympian Gods of Greece

These are the children and descendants of the children of Kronos and his wife Rhea. The titan Kronos was originally considered the god of agriculture, and later of time. He had a stern disposition and a thirst for power, for which he was overthrown, castrated and sent to Tartarus. His reign was replaced by the Olympian gods, led by Zeus. The life and relationships of the Olympians are described in detail in ancient Greek legends and myths, they were worshiped, respected and brought gifts. There are 12 main gods.

Zeus

The younger son of Rhea and Kronos, is considered the father and patron of people and gods, personified good and evil. He opposed his father, overthrowing him in Tartarus. After that, power on earth was divided between him and his brothers - Poseidon and Hades. He is the patron of lightning and thunder. Its attributes were a shield and an ax, later an eagle began to be depicted next to it. Zeus was loved, but they were also afraid of his punishment, so they brought valuable gifts.

People represented Zeus as a strong and robust middle-aged man. He had noble features, thick hair and a beard. In the myths, Zeus was portrayed as a character in love stories that deceived earthly women, as a result of which he gave rise to many demigods.

Hades

The eldest son of Kronos and Rhea, after the overthrow of the reign of the titans, became the god of the underworld of the dead. He was personified by people as a man over 40 years old, who moved on a golden chariot drawn by golden horses. He is credited with a terrible environment, for example, Cerberus - a dog with three heads. It was believed that he owns the untold riches of the underworld, so they feared and respected him, sometimes more than Zeus. Married to Persephone, whom he kidnapped, thereby causing the wrath of Zeus and the inconsolable grief of Demeter.

Among people, they were afraid to pronounce his name aloud, replacing it with various epithets. One of the few gods whose cult was practically not widespread. During rituals, cattle with black skins, most often bulls, were sacrificed to him.

Poseidon

The middle son of Kronos and Rhea, after defeating the titans, took possession of the water element. According to myths, he lives in a majestic palace in the underwater depths, along with his wife Amphitrite and his son Triton. Moves by sea on a chariot drawn by sea horses. Wields a trident with great power. His blows led to the formation of springs and underwater springs. In ancient drawings, he is depicted as a powerful man with blue eyes, like the color of the sea.

The Greeks believed that he had a heavy temper and a quick temper, which was opposed to the calmness of Zeus. The cult of Poseidon was widespread in many coastal cities of ancient Greece, where rich gifts were brought to him, including girls.

Hera

One of the most revered goddesses of Ancient Greece. She was the patroness of marriage and matrimony. She had a tough character, jealousy and a great love for power. She is the wife and sister of her brother Zeus.

In the myths, Hera is depicted as a power-hungry woman who sends disasters and curses on the many mistresses of Zeus and their children, which leads to grins and funny antics from her husband. Every year she bathes in the Kanaf spring, after which she again becomes a virgin.

In Greece, the cult of Hera was widespread, she was the protector of women, she was worshiped and brought gifts to help during childbirth. One of the first deities to whom a sanctuary was built.

Demeter

Second daughter of Kronos and Rhea, sister of Hera. The goddess of fertility and the patroness of agriculture, therefore, was highly respected by the Greeks. There were large cults on the territory of the country, it was believed that it was impossible to get a harvest without bringing a gift to Demeter. It was she who taught people how to cultivate the land. She appeared as a young woman of beautiful appearance with curls the color of ripe wheat. The most famous myth is about the abduction of her daughter by Hades.

Descendants and children of Zeus

In the mythology of ancient Greece, the born sons of Zeus are of great importance. These are gods of the second order, each of which was the patron of one or another activity of people. According to the legends, they often came into contact with the inhabitants of the earth, where they weaved intrigues and built relationships. Key ones:

Apollo

The people called him "radiant" or "shining". He presented himself as a golden-haired young man, endowed with an extraterrestrial beauty of appearance. He was a patron of the arts, a patron of new settlements and a healer. Widely revered by the Greeks, large cults and sanctuaries have been found at Delos and Delphi. He is the patron and mentor of music.

Ares (Arey)

The god of a bloody and tough war, which is why he was often opposed to Athena. The Greeks represented him as a mighty warrior with a sword in his hand. In later sources, he is depicted next to a griffin and two companions - Eris and Enyo, who sowed discord and anger among people. In myths, he is described as the lover of Aphrodite, in whose relationship many deities and demigods were born.

Artemis

The patroness of hunting and female chastity. It was believed that bringing gifts to Artemis would bring happiness in marriage and facilitate childbirth. Often depicted next to a deer and a bear. The most famous temple was in Ephesus, later she was the patroness of the Amazons.

Athena (Pallas)

Highly revered goddess in Ancient Greece. She was the patroness of organized warfare, wisdom and strategy. Later it became a symbol of knowledge and crafts. She was portrayed by the ancient Greeks as a tall and well-coordinated woman, with a spear in her hand. Temples to Athena were erected everywhere, the cult of veneration was widespread.

Aphrodite

The ancient Greek goddess of beauty and love, later considered the patron of fertility and life. It had a huge influence on the entire pantheon, both people and gods were in its power (except for Athens, Artemis and Hestia). She was the wife of Hephaestus, but she is credited with love affairs with Ares and Dionysus. Depicted with flowers of roses, myrtle or poppy, apple. Her retinue included doves, sparrows and dolphins, and Eros and numerous nymphs were her companions. The largest cult was located in the city of Paphos, located on the territory of modern Cyprus.

Hermes

Extremely controversial god of the ancient Greek pantheon. He patronized trade, eloquence and dexterity. He was depicted with a winged rod, around which two snakes were entwined. According to the legends, he was able to reconcile them, wake up and put people to sleep. Hermes is often depicted wearing sandals and a wide-brimmed hat, as well as with a lamb on his shoulder. Often, not only helped the inhabitants of the earth, but also weaved intrigues, bringing citizens together.

Hephaestus

The blacksmith god, who is the patron of blacksmithing and construction. It was he who made the attributes of most of the gods, and also made lightning for Zeus. According to legend, Hera gave birth to him without the participation of her husband, from her thigh in revenge for the birth of Athena. Often depicted as a broad-shouldered and ugly man, lame in both legs. He was the legal husband of Aphrodite.

Dionysus

The youngest Olympian god, widely loved by the ancient Greeks. He is the patron of winemaking, vegetation, fun and madness. His mother is an earthly woman, Semele, who was killed by Hera. Zeus personally carried the child from 6 months, giving birth to him from the thigh. According to myths, this son of Zeus invented wine and beer. Dionysus was revered not only by the Greeks, but also by the Arabs. Often depicted with a staff tipped with hops and a bunch of grapes in his hand. The main retinue is satyrs.

The ancient Greek pantheon is represented by several dozen major gods, deities, mythical creatures, monsters and demigods. The legends and myths of Antiquity have many interpretations, since different sources were used in the description. The ancient Greeks loved and respected all the gods, they were worshiped, brought gifts and turned for blessing and cursing. Ancient Greek mythology was expounded in detail by Homer, who described all major events and the appearance of the gods.

The mythology of Ancient Greece, which is closely intertwined with the religion of this people, originated on the path of the formation of mankind, but is still popular, which was facilitated by cultural monuments.

Eminent directors and talented writers are inspired by titans, Olympians, muses, cyclops and other fictional characters, and legends involving gods and incredibly strong heroes captivate the spirit. Zeus, the head of the ancient Greek Pantheon, who is in charge of the whole world, is quite often found in ancient texts. The name of this thunderer, perhaps, is familiar to everyone and everyone.

Mythology

A person looks very weak against the background of the surrounding world, a representative of the Homosapiens species does not have the same physical strength as, for example, a bear; humans cannot run fast like lions or cheetahs, nor do they have sharp teeth and strong claws.

But on the other hand, by nature, a person tries to explain what he feels and observes. No wonder he discovered physical laws, came up with a chemical table, and asked himself the question of philosophy. But earlier, when scientific knowledge was not so strong, people explained this or that natural phenomenon through myths and believed that the gods were able to bring prosperity to the house, help win the war and protect the crop from drought.

According to history, from the first half of the second millennium BC, the third generation of gods led by Zeus began to reign in the world, who overthrew the titans. The chief of the Olympian gods became the third son of the titan Kronos and his wife Rhea. The fact is that the seer predicted to Kronos that his own son would take the crown of his father. The Lord of Time did not want to put up with such a fate, therefore, without a twinge of conscience, he ate newborn children, just in case, swallowing even daughters.

Rhea did not intend to put up with the arbitrariness of her husband, therefore, as a wise woman, she decided to act by cunning. The pregnant titanita went to a deep cave in Crete, where she gave birth to the future usurper of power.

So that Kronos would not notice the trick, his beloved put a Baytil stone wrapped in swaddling clothes instead of the baby, which the giant immediately swallowed. And when the enraged titan found out about the tricks of his wife, he went to look for little Zeus. The Kurets saved the boy: they banged with spears and swords when the baby cried so that Kronos would not guess where his son was.

The fatal prediction that Kronos learned came true: when Zeus matured, he started a war against his father, winning a crushing victory and sending his parent into the abyss under the kingdom of Hades - Tartarus. According to another legend, the Thunderer gave Kronos a honey drink to drink, and when he fell asleep, he castrated it. Further, Zeus forced his ancestor to spit out brothers and sisters with the help of a potion, whom he made gods and settled on Olympus. According to other sources, the Olympian ripped open the belly of a titan.

The war between the gods and the titans lasted ten years, and the Cyclopes were called to help. But, since the forces were equal, the opponents could not determine the winner for a long time. Then Zeus freed the hundred-armed giants from the abyss, who swore allegiance to him, and they helped send the former rulers to Tartarus. Desperate, the earth goddess Gaia gave birth to a terrible monster with a hundred dragon heads - Typhon, but he was defeated by Zeus.

When peace reigned, Zeus, along with his brothers, divided power with the help of lots. Poseidon became the lord of the sea, Hades began to manage the gloomy and frightening kingdom of the dead, and Zeus got dominance in the sky.

Scientists even made an assumption: it is likely that the Greeks presented human sacrifices to the owner of Olympus, but others refute these conjectures. Perhaps, only separate and few tribes were engaged in killings for the sake of the owner of the sky, in order to ask for an end to volcanic eruptions. Basically, in ancient Greece, animals and food were given to the gods, arranging holidays.

Image

The Thunderer, who frightens the inhabitants of the Earth with lightning and dark clouds, appears in mythology as the father of gods and people. Zeus tried to make this world the most harmonious, distributing good and evil, and also put shame and conscience into a person. A powerful god sits on his throne and watches over the city order, protecting the weak and offended and granting patronage to those who pray.

Zeus, who followed the laws all over the world, could not only send rain and punish guilty people with lightning, but also foresaw the future, predicting the future with the help of dreams. But sometimes Zeus himself depends on the goddesses Moir - women weaving the threads of fate.

Often, the Thunderer is depicted in paintings and sculptures as a middle-aged man with kind features, which were framed by thick curls and a lush beard. In the hands of Zeus is a lightning bolt, which is a three-pronged fork with notches. From legends it is known that lightning for the god was made by one-eyed cyclops. The deity also has a scepter, and sometimes he is depicted with a labrys or hammer, similar to a tool.

God cuts in a chariot drawn by eagles: as you know, this noble bird is associated with greatness and power. It was the eagle that pecked the liver of the unfortunate Prometheus - thus Zeus punished his cousin for stealing the fire from Hephaestus, passing it on to people.

Among other things, Zeus knows how to transform into any earthly creature: once an Olympian turned into a bull in order to kidnap a princess. However, the master of the sky was not distinguished by constancy. Hundreds of beauties visited his bed, whom he seduced in different guises: either he would appear to the girl in the form of a cloud, or he would appear as a white swan. And in order to take possession of Danae, Zeus turned into a golden shower.

A family

As you know, in ancient Greek mythology, all the gods are in some sense relatives to each other, who descended from the titans. In addition, judging by the legends, some married their sisters. The Thunderer was not an exemplary family man and seduced far more than one beauty; wide-eyed Europe, Leda, Antelope, Io and other charmers became victims of the spell of Zeus.

But three women were considered "official" wives. The first is the wise Metis, who predicted to her husband that the son of Zeus born from her would surpass his father. The upset guardian of lightning followed the example of Kronos, only he swallowed not a newborn baby, but his wife. After that, the patroness of organized war, Athena, was born from the head of the god, and Metis, sitting in the womb of her husband, became his adviser.

The second wife of Zeus - the goddess of justice Themis - gave her husband three daughters: Eunomia, Dike and Eirene (according to other sources, Themis is the mother of Moira or Prometheus). The last beloved of the Olympian was the patroness of marriage, Hera, who is distinguished by cruelty and jealous disposition.

Movies

Zeus can be seen on TV screens, the Thunderer appeared before the audience in several cinematic works:

• 1969 - "Hercules in New York"
• 1981 - "Clash of the Titans"
• 2010 - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
• 2010 - "Clash of the Titans"
• 2011 - "War of the Gods: Immortals"
• 2012 - Wrath of the Titans

actors

In the adventure film Hercules in New York, where he starred, the little-known actor Ernest Graves appeared in the image of the Thunderer. Further, in 1981, the adventure film by Desmond Davis, Clash of the Titans, was released.

This time, the image of the Lord of Olympus was tried on by the Briton, familiar to the audience from the films "" (1986), "King Lear" (1983), "" (1979) and other noteworthy film works.

In 2010, the family film Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was released. They played in this picture, and the role of the Thunderer was played by the famous actor.

In the same 2010, filmmaker Louis Leterrier presented a remake of the Clash of the Titans film of the same name. The brilliant cast included, and.

• Zeus kidnapped not only the fairer sex. Reincarnated in the guise of a giant eagle, the arbiter of destinies stole a beautiful young man, the son of the Trojan Tros - Ganymede. The Thunderer gave the father of this young man a golden vine, and Ganymede received eternal youth, becoming a "cupbearer" who gave nectar and ambrosia to the gods.
• Zeus owns a magical cape made of goatskin - Aegis, which, like a shield, has protective properties. Legends say that the daughter of the owner of the lightning - Athena - wore this skin as a robe, attaching a brooch depicting the Gorgon Medusa to it.

• In the 5th century BC, Olympia was home to the third of the seven wonders of the world - a marble statue of Zeus, which surpassed even temples in size. The monument was built by the sculptor Phidias, who was picky about materials, especially ivory. According to rumors, 200 kg of pure gold and precious stones were brought to the feet of Zeus. Unfortunately, the giant statue of the Thunderer died after wars and robberies.
• Zeus appears both in cinematic works and on computer screens, for example, in the game Dota2 there is such a hero who bears the name of the son of Kronos and kills opponents with lightning.
• Zeus was raised by the nymph Kinosura. After the Thunderer became the ruler of the sky, he placed her among the stars as a token of gratitude. According to other legends, Melissa raised the offspring of the titan, feeding the boy with honey and goat's milk, as well as the shepherd's family, while setting an ultimatum that all sheep would be saved from wolves.

Zeus (Jupiter)

Zeus, among the gods the greatest and best, to you my song!
Thunderous, sovereign lord, judge layer,
You love to have conversations with Themis, sitting bent down.
Be merciful, loud-sounding Kronid, - glorious great!

Homer

Zeus statue in Olympia

Wikipedia

Zeus(other Greek. Ζεύς , genus. P. Διός , Greek Δίας , Mycenae. di-we "Diy") - in ancient Greek mythology, the god of the sky, thunder and lightning, in charge of the whole world. The chief of the Olympian gods, the third son of the titan Kronos and Rhea (according to Homer, the eldest son). Brother of Hades, Hestia, Demeter, Hera and Poseidon. Zeus' wife is the goddess Hera. In Roman mythology, he was identified with Jupiter.
The attributes of Zeus were: a shield and a double ax (labrys), sometimes an eagle; Olympus (Olympian Zeus) was considered the seat.
In addition, he distributes good and evil on earth, sometimes he is associated with fate, sometimes he himself acts as a being subject to Moira - fate, fate. He can foresee the future. He proclaims the fate of fate through dreams, as well as thunder and lightning. The whole social order was built by Zeus, he gave people laws, established the power of kings, also protects the family and home, monitors the observance of traditions and customs.

Temple of Zeus at Olympia

myths

Birth

He belongs to the third generation of gods who overthrew the second generation - the titans. The father of Zeus Kronos was predicted that he was destined to be defeated by his own son, and in order not to be deposed by his children, he each time swallowed the child just born to Rhea.
Rhea finally decided to deceive her husband and secretly gave birth to another child - Zeus. According to Pausanias, “to list all those areas that claim to be the birthplace and upbringing of Zeus from them would be impossible even for someone who would approach this issue with all seriousness.” Different versions of the myth call the birthplace of the island of Crete (a cave in the mountain Dikte, or Mount Ida) or Phrygia (Mount Ida). Instead of a newborn, she gave Kronos a swaddled stone to swallow. The navel of Zeus fell off at the city of Fena in Crete. The newborn Zeus was bathed in the river Lusius in Arcadia. According to Theodore of Samothrace, Ptolemy Hephaestion, having been born, laughed continuously for 7 days, which is why the number 7 is sacred.

Education of Jupiter, 1636-"37 (Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)

According to the Cretan version of the myth, Zeus was given to the education of the Curetes and Corybantes, who fed him with the milk of the goat Amalthea. Also in Crete he was fed with bee honey[. According to another version, he was fed by a goat in the town of Aegius in Achaia. According to legend, guards guarded the cave, and every time little Zeus began to cry, they banged their shields with spears so that Kronos would not hear it.

power struggle

When Zeus grew up, he came to his father and made him spit out all his brothers and sisters.

According to one version, Zeus was brought up on Naxos. When he went on a campaign against the titans, he noticed an eagle and guessed a good omen in it. When the gods divided the birds, Zeus got an eagle. Eagle on the scepter of Zeus. When Zeus opposed Kron, the gods made an alliance. The altar on which they swore they made a constellation.

Zeus the Thunderer

Then, together with Zeus, they began the fight against Kronos. The battle lasted 9 years, but did not reveal the winner. Then Zeus freed the Cyclopes and the Hundred-armed from Tartarus, who swore allegiance to Zeus. Finally, the titans were defeated and cast into the abyss.

Governing body

Three brothers - Zeus, Poseidon and Hades - divided power among themselves. Zeus got dominance in the sky, Poseidon - the sea, Hades - the kingdom of the dead. During the period of patriarchy, Zeus is localized on Mount Olympus and is called Olympian.

Asclepius

Killed by Zeus

* Adimant. Perun.
* Sons of Lycaon. Perun.
* Actaeon (version).
* Amphiarai. Zeus made him immortal.
* Aristodemus. (version)
* Asclepius. Perun.
* Iasion. Perun.
* Idas. Perun.
* Exodus. (version)
* Campa. Monster.
* Capaneus. Perun.
* Makelo of Keos and her husband Telchin.
* Menetius (titan). Thrown into Tartarus.
* Mimant (giant).
* Pandarey. Turned to stone
* Porphyrion. Perun.
* Salmoneus. Perun.
* Tantalum. Perun.
* Typhon (son of Gaia).
* Phaeton.

He struck Asop with a thunderbolt (lightning), he also struck the third temple at Delphi.

Images

Traditionally, Zeus is depicted as a man of mature age with noble features, framed by thick curls.
In the works of later artists, especially the masters of the New Age, he is a character in love stories, deceiving women and taking on many guises.

Attributes

Attributes of Zeus: Eagle, Scepter (Nika), Lightning, Aegis

* Eagle
* Lightning of Zeus is a material weapon, a kind of two-pronged, two- or three-pronged fork with notches. In Baroque painting, she was depicted as a bunch of flames that an eagle could hold in its claws.
* Scepter

Plots

The Education of Jupiter, 1627 (Jordaens Jacob)

The baby Zeus, hidden from his bloodthirsty father, is fed by the goat Amalthea. The child grows on the slopes of Mount Ida (Crete), the nymphs feed him with wild honey and goat's milk. He is depicted in a pastoral atmosphere, lying in a cradle and surrounded by nymphs-educators (cf. with the story of the discovery of Moses). Another option is the child in the arms of the nymphs, who bring a pitcher of milk to his mouth, while others collect wild honey, and the shepherd milks the goat. The goat can also feed Jupiter.

Jupiter and Juno (Annibale Carracci (1560-1609)

Zeus sits on a bed, Juno hugs him. Both can be semi-nude. Nearby are an eagle and a peacock, symbols of both gods. Juno may be girded with the belt of Venus.

Sacrifice to Jupiter (Noel Coypel (1628-1707)

A statue of a seated Jupiter is depicted, who holds a scepter, his eagle sits next to him. In the foreground is an altar with a burning flame. Idolaters (possibly girls from Mount Ida) pray under the guidance of a priest or make sacrifices.

Jupiter and Mercury at Philemon and Baucis (Andrea Appiani the Elder (circle)

Philemon and Baucis (lat. Philemon, Baucis) are the heroes of ancient myth. They came from the city of Tyana in Phrygia. Once Zeus and Hermes, under the guise of ordinary travelers, visited Phrygia and knocked in vain on the doors of many houses, looking for shelter - they were refused everywhere. Only in the little thatched hut where old Philemon and Baucis lived did they receive a warm welcome. In order to better feed the guests, the old people decided to sacrifice even their only goose; fleeing from Baucis, the bird rushed to the feet of Zeus, who did not allow her to be slaughtered. To the surprise of the owners, the amount of food on the table began to increase by itself. In response to their fear, Zeus revealed to the old people who he and his companion were, and ordered them to follow him to the top of the mountain, climbing to which they saw that the area around their hut was covered with water, hiding all the houses, and their hut turned into a majestic temple. Zeus allowed Philemon and Baucis to express any desire, promising to fulfill it - the old people wished to serve as a priest and priestess in the temple of Zeus until the end of their days and die at the same time so that neither of them had to live without the other. The Thunderer fulfilled their desire: after a long life, Philemon and Baucis turned into trees growing from the same root.
The gods turned their hut into a temple, and they were made priests, and later they themselves turned into oak and linden.

Jupiter and Thetis, 1811 (Ingres, Jean Auguste Dominique (1780-1867)

The former lover begs the celestial to spare her son Achilles. She hugs the knees of the sovereign sitting on the throne. The plot is described by Homer.

Jupiter and Ganymede, 1650 (Eustache le Sueur (1616-1655)

In order to kidnap a beautiful young man and make him his lover, Zeus turns into a huge eagle.

The Abduction of Ganymede
(Christian Wilhelm Allers (1857-1915)

The Rape of Europa (Gillis Coignet 1538-1599)

To kidnap the beautiful princess, Zeus turns into a bull. The girl admires his beauty, and sits on him, and he rushes into the sea and takes her away from her native island.

Danae and the golden rain, 1612 (Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653)

In order to take possession of the beauty, locked away from sin in an underground "bunker", Zeus turns into a golden rain and thus seeps through the ceiling and penetrates into her womb. The images often feature an old maid. In this case, the golden rain has two interpretations: direct, according to the myth - for a girl, and an allegory of money that will soften any duenna - for an old woman.

Jupiter and Antiope (Spranger)

In order to master the violent maenad, Zeus turns into the traditional companion of the maenads in the Dionysian processions - a satire.

Io and the cloud (Correggio (1490-1534)

To possess a beautiful girl, Zeus turns into a cloud.

Struck by the beauty of Leda, Zeus appeared before her in the form of a swan on the Eurotas River and took possession of her, she laid two eggs, and Polydeuces and Helen were the fruit of their union. Or she laid a triple egg, Castor, Polydeuces and Helen were born from the egg. Or from two eggs four children appeared. According to another story, she found an egg on a walk under hyacinths, which Nemesis laid.

Jupiter and Olympia, c. 1526-"28 (Giulio Romano (1499-1546)

Zeus and Olympias, west wall, fresco detail

As a result of the copulation of Zeus, who took the form of a snake, and Olympias, Alexander the Great will be born. This scene is shown on the left. The legal husband of Olympias, Philip, looks in the door, into whose eye Zeus's lightning pierces.

A family

Wives and lovers of Zeus

The wives of Zeus were:

Themis and Hera

* Metis (swallowed by Zeus)
* Themis
* Hera (the last "official" wife of Zeus). According to Callimachus, when Kronos ruled the world, Zeus and Hera hid their marriage for 300 years.

Zeus had many lovers:

* Evrinoma
* Demeter
* Mnemosyne
* Summer (Latona)
* And about
* Europe
and many others (see section Children of Zeus)

The beloved of Zeus is also called Kalliroea, the mother of Amphoterus and Acarnanus, as well as Thebe and Phthia.

Zeus and Thetis

Some myths claim that Zeus wanted to leave Hera for Thetis, but did not do this because of a prophecy - a Nereid would give birth to a son who would surpass his father in everything. Thetis married King Peleus, and Achilles was born to them.
Sinope and Medea rejected Zeus.
Also, the young man Aytos (see Myths of Crete) and Ganymede are called his beloved.
In the form of a snake, he seduced Demeter, and then Persephone, in the form of a bull and a bird - Europe, in the form of a bull - Io, in the form of an eagle - Ganymede, in the form of a swan - Nemesis (who became a goose) or Leda, in the form of a quail - Summer, in in the form of an ant - Eurymedus, in the form of a dove - Phthias, in the fiery form - Aegina, in the form of a golden rain - Danaus, in the form of a satyr - Antiope, in the form of a shepherd - Mnemoses. His lovers usually retain their human appearance, but he turns Callisto into a bear, Io into a cow.

Sometimes Zeus was revered in the form of a beetle.

Children of Zeus

Olympians

deities

* Adrastea (Astrea) - the goddess of justice, from Ananke or Themis.
* - deity of moonlight, from Asteria, Demeter or Hera.
* - the god of love, from Aphrodite (according to one of the versions).
* Ares - god of war, from Hera.
* Hebe - the goddess of youth, from Hera.
* Hephaestus - the god of fire, the patron of blacksmithing, from Hera (according to Homer).
* Ilithyia - the goddess of obstetrics, from Hera.
* (Kalligenia) - the goddess of fertility and the kingdom of the dead, from Demeter or Styx.
* - the goddess of love and marriage, from the oceanid Dione.
* Asop Fliasiysky - the deity of the river, from Eurynome (according to one of the versions).
* Mnemosyne is a Titanide, the mother of the Muses, from the Oceanid Clymene (according to one of the versions).
* Twins Apollo and - from the titanides Leto (Lato).
* Hermes is the god of trade, profit, intellect, dexterity, trickery, deceit, theft and eloquence, from the Maya galaxy.
* - the goddess of just war and wisdom, from the oceanid Metis, the first wife of Zeus. According to Hesiod, Zeus swallowed the pregnant Metis and gave birth to Athena on his own. According to other versions, Athena was born from Hellenia or Corypha (the daughter of Corypha bears the name Coria among the Arcadians).
* Sabazius (also known as the "elder Dionysus" or Zagreus) - the deity of the mysteries, from Persephone. Zeus visited Persephone in the form of a serpent, and she bore him a horned baby.
* Artemis is the first from Persephone.
* Melinoe - the goddess of the underworld, from Persephone.
* Afila, identified with Persephone, from Rhea.
* Pandia - the goddess of the midday sun, from Selena.
* Gersa - from Selene or Eos.
* Dionysus - the god of winemaking, from Semele, daughter of Cadmus.
* Karpos, from the goddess Chloris.
* Egipan, sometimes identified with Pan, from the goat or Egi.
* Pan is the patron god of herds, from Hybris, Fimbrida, the nymph Oineida or Callisto.
* Tiha - the goddess of chance, according to versions one of the moira, the mother is unclear.
* Aletheia (version), Helios the first (version), Ker (version). The mother is not clear.

Groups of children

* Harites - goddesses of fun and joy of life, from the oceanid Eurynome (according to Kornut, Evridoma).
* (Euterpe, Clio, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia, Urania, Calliope) - the patroness of sciences, poetry and arts, from the Titanide Mnemosyne.
* Kerasts - "horned centaurs", born from the seed of Zeus, who was vomited on the soil of Cyprus out of love for Aphrodite. See Cyprus in ancient Greek mythology.
* Corybantes are the mythical predecessors of the priests of Cybele or Rhea in Phrygia, from Calliope (according to one of the versions).
* Kurets - demons of the plant forces of the earth, from Hera or Ida.
* (Kloto, Lachesis and Atropos) - goddesses of fate, from Themis or Ananke.
* Horas - the goddess of the seasons, from Themis.
* Anakty (Dionysius, Eubulus and Tritopatreus) - Dioscuri, children of Zeus the first and Persephone.
* - goddesses of revenge. According to the Orphics, the nine daughters of Persephone and Zeus Chthonia.
* Elder Muses (Telksiopa, Aeda, Archa, Meletus) are the daughters of Zeus II.
* Ofrian nymphs.

* Agdistis - from the seed of Zeus and the earth.
* Ammon - from the Pleiades Pasiphae.
* Twins Amphion and Zeph - from Antiope, daughter of Niktey.
* Argos (or also Pelasg) - from Niobe.
* Arkad - from Callisto.
* Arcisius - from Euriodia (according to one of the versions).
* Atimnius - from Cassiopeia.
* Britomartis - from Karma.
* Vithius - from Thrace. See List of Asia Minor names in ancient Greek mythology.
* Harmony - from Electra (according to one of the versions).
* (Hercules the sixth) - from the Mycenaean queen Alkmene.
* Hercules the first - from Lysifoya.
* Hercules the fourth - from Asteria.
* Herophilus - from Lamia.
* Greek and Latin - from Pandora (according to one of the versions).
* Dardanus and Iasion (Eetion) - from Electra.
* Dodon - from Dodona.
* Elena - from Nemesis or Leda.
* Iarbant. Libyan.
* Brown - from Torrebia.
* Carnei - from Europe (according to Praxilla).
* Dioscuri Castor and Polydeuces (or only Polydeuces) - from Leda.
* Kolax - from the Mountain. See Thrace in ancient Greek mythology.
* Corinth - from Electra (according to one of the versions).
* Corif. Italian king.
* Krinak (version).
* Lacedaemon - from Taigeta.
* Lokr - from Mera.
* Magnet and Macedon are from Fii.
* Manes (Lydian) - from Gaia.
* Megar - from a Siphnidian nymph.
* Meliteus - from the nymph Ofreida. See Myths of Thessaly.
* Minos, Sarpedon and Radamanths are from Europe.
* Myrmidon - from Eurymedusa. See Myths of Thessaly.
* Opunt - from Protogeny.
* Orchomenus - from Hermipp, either Isonoi or Hesion. See Myths of Boeotia.
* Paliki - from Etna or Thalia.
* - from Danae.
* Pirithous - from Dia (or Clymene), the wife of the king of the Lapiths, Ixion.
* Saon - from a nymph.
* Sarpedon - from Laodamia, daughter of the hero Bellerophon.
* Scamander (version).
* Scythian - from a snake woman (Echidna). See Scythia and the Caucasus in ancient Greek mythology.
* Spartaeus, Cronius and Kit are from Himalia. See Myths of the Aegean Islands.
* Tantalus - from the nymph Pluto or Sipyla.
* Targitai - from the daughter of Borisfen.
* Tevkr - from Electra (according to one of the versions).
* Titius - from Elara.
* Phasis - a river, called the offspring of Zeus. See Scythia and the Caucasus in ancient Greek mythology.
* Aeacus - from Aegina, daughter of the river god Asopus.
* Ellin - from Pyrrha (according to one of the versions).
* Emathion - from Electra. See Myths of the Aegean Islands.
* Endymion - from Kaliki (according to one of the versions).
* Epaphus and Keroessa are from Io. See Thrace in ancient Greek mythology.
* Ethol - from Protogeny (according to one of the versions).
* Eflius - from Protogeny.

* and also: Ata, Basilea (according to Aristophanes), other nymphs, Thalia (Θάλεια) .

naming

Plurality of Zeus

According to Cotta's speech, ancient philologists counted three Zeus:

* Son of Ether, born in Arcadia, father of Persephone and Dionysus.
* Son of Uranus, born in Arcadia, father of Athena.
* Son of Kron, born in Crete, where his grave is.

Various forms of the name Zeus

* Dan (Δάν). The name of Zeus in the Doric dialect.
* Den (Δήν). The spelling of the name Zeus.
* Diy (Δῖος). Name of Zeus.
* Dis (Δίς). The spelling of the name Zeus.
* Zan (Ζάν). The name of Zeus in the Doric dialect.
* Zas (Ζάς). The beginning at Pherecydes of Syria. Dialectic spelling of the name Zeus.
* Zen (Ζήν) One of the forms of the name Zeus.
* Zes (Ζής). The spelling of the name Zeus.
* Tan (Τάν). Cretan form.

epithets

Meteorological

* Astrapeus. ( Ἀστραπαῖος , "lightning"). An epithet of Zeus. The XX Orphic hymn is dedicated to him.
* Ikmean (Ikmean; Ἰκμαῖος, wet). The epithet of Zeus, his altar on Ceos was erected by Aristaeus. Or it was erected by Frix.
* Keravn (Κεραύνιος, striking with thunder). An epithet of Zeus. The 19th Orphic hymn is dedicated to him.
* Ombry (Ὄμβριος, rain-sending). See Myths of Elis.

Topographic

* Apesantius (Ἀπεσάντιος). From Mount Apesantus in Argolis (see Perseus).
* Budatas. An epithet of Zeus in Cretan inscriptions, a dialectal form of the name Ideisky.
* Dictean (Δικταῖος). See Myths of Crete.
* Itomsky (Ἰθωμαῖος). From the Messenian Mount Itoma (Ἰθώμη). See Myths of Messenia.
* Casium (Κάσιος, Casian). Epithet. The sanctuary of Zeus Casius was on the road to Pelusium, where Pompey was buried. The altar of Zeus Casius was in the city of Cassiope on Corcyra.
* Kenyan (Κηναῖος). From Cape Keney (Κήναιον or Κηναῖον) on Euboea. See Myths of Euboea.
* Labradeisky (more precisely Labrandean; Λαβραδεύς, Λαβρανδεύς,). From the city of Labranda (τὰ Λάβρανδα) in Caria. The epithet of Zeus among the Carians. Raised by Plutrach to the name of the battle ax "labrys" (λάβρυς). See Elian. On the nature of animals XII 30.
* Lycian (Λύκαιος or Λυκαῖος,). From Mount Likey (i.e. Wolf; Λύκαιον). See Myths of Arcadia.
* Thesprot (Θεσπρωτός). By the name of the region of Thesprotis (Θεσπρωτίς) in Epirus. Epithet of Zeus in Dodona.

By function

*Antique texts

Hymn XV. Zeus (incense, styrakta)

O venerable Zeus, O Zeus never to be destroyed,
You are our witness, you are our deliverer, you are our prayers!
With the help, our king, your head was born
Mother goddess of the earth and mountains of the ascended steeps.
The sea and everything else that was raised up under the wide sky.
O scepter-bearer Kronid, overthrower, mighty in soul,
Omniproducer, the beginning of everything and the end of everything!
The bowels of the shaker, you plant everything, grow, cleanse,
Zeus all-creating, master of perun, and thunder, and lightning,
Listen to me, many-looking, give impeccable health,
The world, which for us is a deity, and the glory of honest wealth!

Hymn XXIII of Homer, Hymn I of Callimachus and XV Orphic Hymn are dedicated to him. The birth of Zeus and the Kuretes were mentioned in the meliche poem Telesta, the comedy Filisk and the tragedy of Timesitheus "The Birth of Zeus".

Criticism of the myth

Many gods could represent real historical figures, and historical events in the absence of writing became the plot of mythology. According to Euhemerus, the gods of Greece were originally kings, heroes, conquerors or benefactors of the people, later deified. For example, Euhemerus is credited with the statement that Zeus was a great warrior, an ancient king of Crete, and his tomb at Knossos was shown to the curious. According to Vanga, Zeus was the king of the ancient Greek tribe of the Molossians.

Zeus is the most famous of the gods of Ancient Greece. Numerous myths and legends tell about his difficult temper and love affairs. He had many wives and children. Some of them became gods, others became famous heroes. Let's talk more about Zeus.

Zeus: myths and history

Probably every student knows the answer to the question, who is Zeus. Ancient Greek mythology is at the core of modern Western civilization. Therefore, stories about gods and heroes have been part of the school curriculum for a long time.

Zeus is the god of the third generation. According to Greek mythology, at the beginning of time, the gods fought each other for the right to rule the Earth. Sigmund Freud, arguing that the basis of human history is a crime - the murder of the father's sons - relied on Greek myths. Kronos (or Kronos) - the youngest of the children of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth) - overthrew his father and became the supreme deity. His reign is considered in myths to be a golden age.

The Greek gods were not omnipotent and obeyed Doom. Kronos was predicted that his son would overthrow him. The myth of the birth of Zeus says that the supreme god devoured his children. But instead of the last child - Zeus - his wife presented him with a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes.

There are several versions as to where the baby grew up. According to two of them, he was fed by a goat. He grew up and entered into a confrontation with his father.

According to legend, Zeus's father spat out the swallowed offspring by drinking a potion that his son offered him. Together with them, Zeus revolted and overthrew his father.

The myths about Zeus have a historical background. Greece experienced three waves of conquest. The tribes of the Ionians, Achaeans and Dorians, pushing each other out, mastered the Greek lands. Historians suggest that the struggle of the three generations of gods who were related in the myths reflects three waves of conquest in which kindred tribes fought each other for dominance in Greece.

Dorians - the last of the conquerors - least of all mixed with local pre-Greek cultures, retaining Indo-European roots. Their gods are known to the world as the Olympians. They are an aristocracy of conquerors who never claimed to be the creators of the universe. They only conquered the world and spent their time in entertainment, periodically demanding tribute in the form of sacrifices.

Over time, strife began among the conquerors. This is also reflected in the myths. According to legend, Athena, the daughter of Zeus, Poseidon, his brother, and Apollo, another son of Zeus, tried to overthrow the supreme god. They were supported by Hera - the wife of Zeus. Interestingly, as punishment for the rebellion, Poseidon and Apollo were sent to build the Trojan walls.

Studying the epithets that the Greeks gave Zeus, scientists have identified the functions that he possessed and the places associated with him. Epithets are divided into several groups:

• Meteorological, which characterize God as the lord of the elements (thunderer, sending down rain, etc.).
• Topographic linking a god to a particular area. There are about ten of them, and most of them are associated with mountains in a particular area or territory, for example, Zeus of Crete.
• Functional, describing what kind of help God provided to people. There are about two dozen of them from “fly driving away” to “leading to flight”.

Zeus is known for his love of love. In addition to dozens of deities, myths attribute to him the paternity of more than 50 heroes. Most of them were born from the connection of God with earthly women.

To get close to them, Zeus turned either into animals, or into people or deities. Four cases are known of its transformation into birds (from a quail to an eagle), two - transformation into cattle (a bull and a stallion), one - into a reptile (a snake). There were also cases of transformation into people and other deities (satyr) and even elements (fire and rain).

In Greek legends, Zeus killed and gave life again, judged people, taught them justice, punished for misconduct. But it was not safe to approach places associated with God. On the island of Crete there are several caves in which, according to legend, a god was born. For a long time, locals believed that everyone who visited it must die within a year.

God Zeus became part of myths, culture and various traditions. Here are the most interesting facts about him:

Zeus is not the only god with lightning

Greek myths formed the basis of European culture. Therefore, many peoples perceived Zeus as a thunderer who punishes not only the Greeks with lightning.

But in the mythology of the Indo-European peoples, there are many gods who are endowed with the same functions as the Greek Zeus. The Thunderers were the Roman Jupiter, the Baltic Perkunas, the Slavic Perun and the Indian Indra.

Zeus was portrayed in only two poses

Zeus was worshiped in Greece and the colonies inhabited by the Greeks. Many images of God have survived to this day. But sculptors, regardless of where they live, created images of the Olympian god in just two poses: he stands and takes a step forward, raising his hand to throw lightning, and he sits in all his majesty on the Olympian throne.

Zeus is the only deity whose name has clear Indo-European roots.

Even in the "Rigveda" - a collection of religious hymns, which are dated 1700-1100. BC e. the name of the god of daylight, Deus (‘heavenly father’), is mentioned. Its name comes from the root Deyu - ‘shine’. The first known spellings of the Greek name of the god are consonant with the Indo-European ones.

Thanks to Zeus, the Earth has a navel

The expression "navel of the Earth" in many mythologies means the center of the universe. Interestingly, in many nations it is associated with stone. For example, in the Muslim and Jewish tradition, this is the stone from which the creation of the world began. Later, Abraham (Ibrahim) tried to sacrifice his son on it. Now the stone, which is also commonly called the cornerstone, is located in Jerusalem under the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

But the tradition to look for the so-called navel of the Earth appeared thanks to the Olympic gods. Greek mythology calls the navel of the Earth a stone that was kept in the Delphic temple. According to one version, instead of Zeus, he was swallowed by Kronos. After Zeus overthrew the cruel father, he took out not only the swallowed brothers and sisters, but also the stone that replaced him. According to legend, it was the only item that could defeat the almighty Zeus.

According to another legend, Zeus, wanting to divide the world in half, released eagles from the western and eastern edges. He threw a stone at the place in the middle of the earth where the eagles were to meet. And so the navel of the Earth appeared.

Zeus caused the Flood

The story of Noah is known everywhere. But the legend that Zeus decided to punish people for human sacrifice and asked Poseidon to send a flood is known only to experts.

According to legend, the god of the sea took pity on the human race and taught Deucalion how to build a ship. Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha escaped the flood, and their son Hellen became the progenitor of the Greek tribes. Since then, the Greeks call themselves Hellenes.

Zeus was supposedly the king of Crete

Many memorial sites associated with Zeus have been preserved in Crete. Some researchers of myths have suggested that the struggle of the Olympians with the Titans is, in fact, a reflection of the struggle of the newcomer Greeks with the indigenous Balkan peoples.

Even the Greek writer Euhemerus (340-260 BC) put forward the theory that Zeus is none other than the king of Crete, who, after his death, began to be deified. Interestingly, there was a cave on the island, which the locals revered as the tomb of Zeus.

The Russian philosopher A. Losev suggested that the Cretan Minotaur is one of the incarnations of Zeus.

Zeus is mentioned in the writings of philosophers and the New Testament

In late antiquity, the philosophical trend of Neoplatonism appeared, which was based on Plato's doctrine of ideas. For the philosophers of this direction, Zeus was none other than the Demiurge (divine mind). During the late Middle Ages, the doctrine influenced the views of Thomas Aquinas, one of the church fathers.

The New Testament describes a case when the Apostle Peter in the city of Lystra (the modern Turkish city of Klistra) healed a lame man, and the inhabitants mistook him for the living incarnation of Hermes, and his companion for Zeus, and even tried to make sacrifices.

Zeus has three fathers

The mythology of ancient Greece has preserved the legends of the three Zeus. Two were born in Arcadia. The fathers were in one of the variants of the myth - Ether, in the other - Uranus. The third option is known to many Europeans from school. In it, the god descended from Kronos and was born on the island of Crete.

Zeus - the source of good and evil

According to one of the myths, there are two vessels near the throne of Zeus. From them he extracts gifts that he sends to people. One vessel contains good. From it, God gives gifts to those who are faithful to him and make sacrifices. In the other is the evil that Zeus sends to wicked people.

Zeus is partial to his own images

Although Zeus has been revered since ancient times, the temple with his statue appeared in Olympia only in the 5th century BC. BC e. According to sources, the sculptor Phidias created the statue from gold, wood and ivory. Upon completion of the work, he turned to God with a question whether he was satisfied with the image. Lightning struck near the statue, which the sculptor considered a good sign.

Later in 40 BC. e. Emperor Caligula ordered the statue to be transported to Rome. However, the workers were frightened by the thunder that rang out as soon as they got to work. The statue remained in place, and Caligula was killed shortly after the events.

God Zeus: the image in the cinema

Filmmakers have repeatedly turned to the image of Zeus. And we are not talking about films such as Zeus and Roxana (1997), where the name of the Greek god was borne by a dog, but about paintings created based on Greek myths.

Here are interesting films about the gods of Olympus and their leader:

"Hercules in New York" (1969)

The movie of the category "B" went down in history thanks to the debut of the actor, who was called "Arnold Strong - Mr. Universe" in the credits. Such an addition was necessary, since the famous comedian Arnold Stang played in the film and the novice actor could be confused with him. Arnold Strong later became known to the world as Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1969 it was dubbed. Many years later, the film was re-released and Arnold's voice was heard in it.

In the film, he played Hercules, the son who quarreled with Zeus and went to Earth in search of adventure.

"Clash of the Titans" (1981)

Hollywood interpretation of the myth of Perseus saving his beloved Andromeda. The picture is interesting because Zeus was played in it by one of the best actors of the 20th century - Laurence Olivier - the owner of the Oscar and dozens of other awards.

The role of Aphrodite in the film went to Ursula Anders, the owner of the Golden Globe and the first Bond girl from the famous film franchise.

In 2010, a remake was released in which Liam Neeson played Zeus. Two years later, a sequel appeared - "Wrath of the Titans".

Frame from the movie "Clash of the Titans"

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010)

Greek mythology fantasy filmed by Chris Columbus, director of Gremlins (1984), the first two films in the Home Alone franchise and the first three films in the Harry Potter franchise.

The plot tells about the American teenager Percy, who one day finds out that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. The role of Zeus in the film was played by Sean Bean.

Three years later, the sequel to Percy Jackson and the Sea of ​​Monsters was released. It featured Chris Columbus as executive producer and no mention of Zeus.

There are many more paintings and anime in which the supreme deity of the Greeks is mentioned or plays a secondary role.

Zeus is the hero of Greek mythology, the supreme deity of Olympus, who left a significant mark on world culture. Numerous legends about the origin of a particular area or name are associated with it. He has become a part of popular culture and has made numerous appearances in various films.

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19:25

He is the supreme god of Olympus, the god of all gods. But how much do you know about Zeus beyond that? So, we bring to your attention 10 interesting facts about the main character of Olympus.

Dolce&Gabbana's spring/summer 2014 men's collection - "Mythological Sicily" (Sicilia Mitologica) - is literally saturated with Magna Graecia and its amazing temples, such as those in the Valley of the Temples of Agrgento: the temples of Taormina and the Temple of Apollo in Syracuse have become a source of inspiration for the whole collections. Here is a fantastic triumph of the prints of the ancient gods: Zeus, representing strength and creation in Greek mythology, and Apollo, representing light, the sun, goodness and beauty. But did you know that Zeus had almost 70 children? We offer you 10 facts that you probably did not know about the king of all gods and goddesses.

1. Zeus's father wanted to eat him.

Kronos and Rhea had several children: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades and Poseidon. However, he ate them all as soon as they were born, because Gaia and Uranus predicted to him that his own son would overthrow him, as he himself overthrew his father.

Rhea, pregnant with Zeus, found Gaia to ask her to save her son, who could punish Kronos for crimes against Uranus and his own children. Rhea gave birth to Zeus in Crete, and gave Kronos to eat a stone wrapped in the baby's clothes.

2. Zeus was brought up by…things.

For example, a goat named Amalthea. And the corybantes - soldiers and petty gods - at that moment danced, shouted and banged their spears on their shields so that Kronos would not hear the cry of a child.

He was also raised by a nymph named Adamantia. Kronos ruled on Earth, in the skies and on the sea. Adamantia hid Zeus by hanging him on a rope from a tree, so that he hung between earth, sea and sky and was out of sight of his father.

He was also raised by the nymph Kinosura. In gratitude, Zeus then placed her among the stars.

He was also raised by Melissa, who fed him goat's milk and honey.

He was also raised by a shepherd's family on the condition that their sheep be saved from wolves.

3. Zeus saved his brothers and sisters.

After becoming a man, Zeus made Kronos regurgitate first the stone and then his siblings in reverse swallowing order. In some versions of the myths, Metis gave Kronos an emetic to make him do it, and in others, Zeus ripped open Kronos' stomach. Zeus then freed Kronos' brothers - the Giants, the Hekatoncheirs and the Cyclopes - from their dungeon in Tartarus, killing their guard Campa.

In gratitude, the Cyclopes gave Zeus thunder and lightning. Along with his siblings, as well as the Giants, Hekatoncheirs, and Cyclopes, Zeus overthrew Kronos and the other Titans in the great battle of Titanomachy. Then the defeated titans were exiled to a dark corner of the underworld - Tartarus. Atlas - one of the Titans who fought against Zeus - was punished by having to hold the sky.

4. His wife Hera was his sister, and his other wives were also his relatives.

In most ancient myths, firstborns had to marry each other, despite being related, because there were few people with whom one could continue the lineage. Therefore, Zeus married his sister Hera (who, according to some versions of the myths, was also his twin). A nymph named Pluto was the mother of King Tantalus of Lydia (by Zeus), and since Pluto's father was Kronos, this means that she was also Zeus's sister (or at least paternal sister). Zeus cheated on Hera with one of his sisters, but it wasn't Demeter. According to Hesiod's Theogony, Zeus was married six times before taking Hera as his wife.

5. Since he had so many wives, he had dozens of children.

He had many children with goddess wives or demigoddesses or mortals. In total, he had about 70 women, respectively, there were even more children.

6. Zeus has many names.

Olympian Zeus refers to Zeus' rule over all gods. Zeus Panellenios, Zeus Gorky - i.e. Zeus, oath-keeper. Zeus Agora: Zeus oversaw the affairs of the agora and punished dishonest merchants. Zeus Xenius, Philius and Gospid: Zeus was the patron saint of hospitality (xenia) and guests and was ready to take revenge on all who harmed strangers. Zeus Aegioch - this term comes from the word αἴξ ("goat") and is taken from the myth of how he was raised by Amalthea.

7. Many mountains are associated with Zeus.

Many mountains were dedicated to Zeus: in the region of Thessaly, Olympus, Pelias and Eta; in Arcadia - Lyceum and Mount Itoma in Messenia; in Attica - Parnet and Imetto; in Boeotia, Kiteron; in Phokis - Parnassus; in Troy - Ida, another mountain called Ida on the island of Crete and many others.

8. Zeus was represented in different ways.

Zeus was represented in different images, but one detail was always present: he was always depicted with the symbol of kings and gods - the scepter, which mortal kings received from him to administer power and justice.

9. He was NOT SO good.

Zeus was also revered as a multiple god, with a two-sided soul, and therefore he was both a good and an evil god.

10. Zeus is a truly unique type of god.

For all its vicissitudes, the image of Zeus cannot be compared to any of the other Indo-European gods with the same powers or names (such as Varuna, or Wodan). The feature of the father of the universe, expressed by the epic phrase "father of mortals and gods", goes back to the prehistoric era, as well as power over the weather.