We explain who Zeus was in Greek mythology and what his worship was like. In addition, we tell you what other Greek gods were like.
Who was Zeus?
Zeus was the name of the supreme god of the religion and mythology of Ancient Greece. He was considered the father of gods and humans, and the supreme ruler of Olympus, the mountain peak where the gods lived. He was depicted as a bearded man wearing a crown and a scepter, and sometimes a lightning bolt, as the sky, thunder and energy were consecrated to him, as well as the eagle, the bull and the oak.
In Greek mythology, Zeus had been the youngest son of the gods Rhea and Cronus. Cronus ruled the universe after having defeated and castrated his father, the god Uranus, and a prophecy predicted that he would suffer a similar fate at the hands of one of his sons. You must read about Apartheid once.
For this reason, Cronus devoured his children as soon as they were born, until his wife, eager to keep the youngest of his sons, gave him a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes instead. This was how Rhea was able to give birth to Zeus in secret and hide him in a cave on Mount Ida, in Crete, until the god was old enough to challenge his father.
Zeus then opened Cronus’ stomach and freed his brothers from within, with whom he waged an epic war against the ancient gods (called “titans”), whom they defeated and imprisoned in the abyss of Tartarus. This war is called the Titanomachy and represents the advent of the modern Greek gods, that is, the Olympian gods, reigned by Zeus, together with his wife and sister Hera.
Zeus, on the other hand, was famous in the great Greek myths for his frequent and numerous infidelities, which is why he was the father of various deities (such as Athena, Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Dionysus, Persephone and Hephaestus, depending on the story consulted) and of many other classical heroes (such as Hercules, Orion, Corinth, Alexander the Great or Helen of Troy). Among his eventual consorts and lovers were goddesses, nymphs and mortals, many of whom were later pursued and punished by Zeus’ jealous wife. Maybe you should definitely read about Medusa once.
Cult of Zeus
In ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the archetypal, omnipotent and supreme god, who played a solar role (he was nicknamed “cloud-gatherer”) in the culture, charged with commanding the universe and dispensing supreme justice among the gods. But, although he was considered the main god of the Olympian pantheon throughout ancient Greece and its colonies (from Sicily to Asia Minor), his cult was never as popular as that of other lesser divinities, considered local patrons in different cities and regions.
It was common, for example, to find statues of Zeus in government buildings, domestic altars and the tops of different mountains, but there was no temple dedicated to this god in Athens until well into the 6th century BC.
The cult of Zeus, therefore, could vary depending on the geography and also on the role that was given to the god. Thus, he had numerous epithets or invocations, each with a proper name, which represented a certain aspect of his authority. Some examples of this are:
- Zeus Olympius: In his role as father and ruler of Olympus, god of gods and patron of the Panhellenic festival (in which all of Ancient Greece met) in the city of Olympia.
- Zeus Xenius: In his role as generous host and patron of guests (xenos, “stranger”), he ensured compliance with ancient laws of hospitality. Zeus Agoreus: In his role as caretaker of the agora, that is, of the public square and commercial affairs, to punish dishonest citizens.
- Zeus Horchius: In his role as guarantor of oaths, since those who broke their word pledged in an oath were forced to erect a statue to Zeus in compensation.
- Zeus Memactes: In his role as ruler of the winds and winter storms, especially during the month of Memacterion (approx. November) in the city of Athens.
- Zeus Eleutherius: In his role as guarantor of the freedom of Greek citizens, he was honored in different cities with the Eleutherian festivals.
- Zeus Polieus: In his role as caretaker of the polis, that is, of the State, who was worshipped during the Dipolias festivals in the city of Athens during the month of Scirophorion (at the end of spring).
In Roman mythology, Zeus was called Jupiter (dyeu-piter, “father of the day”). In other cultures, he was called Diaus Pitar (India), Amun (Egypt), and Baal (Canaan).
Other gods of Greek mythology
In addition to Zeus, the pantheon of Greek gods included:
Hera (Juno for the Romans)
Greek goddess of marriage, household chores, motherhood, and family, sister and wife of Zeus, she was often represented as a jealous and vengeful consort against the descendants of her husband’s numerous infidelities.
Athena (Minerva for the Romans)
Also known as Pallas Athena, she was a warrior and virginal goddess, associated with human knowledge: civilization, wisdom, justice, science, and freedom. She was the daughter of Zeus only, as she was born from his head, after the father god swallowed one of his numerous lovers.
Poseidon (Neptune for the Romans)
Greek god of the seas and earthquakes, whose rage engendered storms, tidal waves, sea monsters and shipwrecks. Brother of Zeus, he was associated with horses and was represented as a bearded man wielding a trident, accompanied by some fish, lizard, dolphin or seahorse, or in the company of sea nymphs, the Nereas.
Aphrodite (Venus for the Romans)
Greek goddess of erotic love, sensuality and unbridled passion, represented as a fickle, capricious, moody and terribly beautiful woman. She was the unfaithful wife of the god Hephaestus, whom she cheated on especially with Ares, god of war, and even with mortals from whom she conceived mythical heroes.
Hephaestus (Vulcan for the Romans)
Greek god of fire, forging and metallurgy, patron of craftsmen and blacksmiths, he was represented as a bearded man with ugly features, unkempt and lame or with his feet backwards, leaning over his anvil with a hammer. His forge was inside Mount Olympus and the metal he forged was the best in all of Greece.
Ares (Mars for the Romans)
Greek god of war, embodiment of bravery, tenacity, strength and virility. He was the protector of armies, rebels and just men, and helper of the weak, although he was also attributed with the brutality of war. He was the son of Zeus and Hera.
Apollo (Delica for the Romans)
God of the arts, divination and the bow and arrow, he was the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. He was also credited with beauty, balance, perfection, healing, the initiation of young people into adulthood, shepherding and music.
Artemis (Diana for the Romans)
Also called Artemis or Delia, she was a hunting goddess, associated with wild animals, virgin land, female virginity and childbirth. Apollo’s twin sister, she was represented as a young woman with a bow and quiver full of arrows, accompanied by a deer, a cypress and even hunting animals, such as the dog.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, which ensure reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- “Zeus” on Wikipedia.
- “Zeus” on Treccani Encyclopedia.
- “Zeus” on World History Encyclopedia.
- “Zeus (greek god)” on The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
- “Zeus” on concepto.de
