Introduction to Zeus

Introduction of Zeus

He was called and known by many names the father and protector of man and Gods, the Cloud gatherer and Lightning wielder. Zeus was the King of Greek Gods called the Olympians. He was the father of many including Heracles best known as Hercules.

His symbol was the Eagle which fetches the Lightning bolt when he throws it. He also was the protector of all mankind and he punishes those who were unrighteous.

History of Zeus

His father was the King of the Titans his name was Cronos. In fear that he will be dethroned by one of his children he consumed all five of Zeus’s siblings. They were Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter and Hera. Rhea Queen of the Titans rebelled and when he intended to take the infant Zeus she disguised a stone with baby linen in his place and Cronos consumed the stone in false belief that it was Zeus.

Rhea hid the infant on earth and he was raised by nymphs and he was fed on the milk of goat called Amalthea. When Zeus reached adulthood he allied himself with a witch who gave him a formula. He disguised himself as a cup bearer fed Cronos the formulae which coursed him to regurgitate all of Zeus’s siblings. When they were set free Zeus and his brothers and sisters led a revolt against Cronos and his followers. Hades gave Zeus his Invisible Helmet and Poseidon gave him his Trident. Zeus also had gained support from the Cyclops who gave him his primary weapon the Thunder Bolt. When the battle ensued Zeus emerged victorious. He castrated Cronos and exiled him. In the end of the battle and reward for their assistance Poseidon was given dominion over the seas and the blind oceans, Hades was given dominion over the Underground minerals the metals and all what lies beneath the soil. Zeus has gained dominion over skies and the Heavens. As a gift the Cyclops built the city of Olympus in this became the home of the Olympians.

Legacy of Zeus

When Zeus’s Godhood was established he courted Hera to be his wife. He transformed himself into a Coco bird. He landed in her lap she embraced it and vowed to always look after it. When he heard this vow he immediately reverted back to his true form and proposed. Thereon Hera became the patron Goddess and protector of married women and she is also the queen of the Gods. Zeus in turn became unfaithful and had many lovers. Instead of the coco bird being Hera’s symbol it was the Peacock and the eyes on its tail were to keep a close on Zeus’s infidelity. Zeus had sired many illegitimate children with other goddesses and mortal women. Some were considered Gods and others Heroes.

Sire (Father)	Consort (Mother)	Offspring (Son or Daughter).
Zeus	Leto ( the gentle giant)	Apollo & Artemis (Gods protectors of youths)
Zeus	Demeter (Goddess of Herbs and useful plants)	Persephone (Goddess of Spring)
Zeus	Hera (Goddess of married Women)	Ares (God of War)
Zeus	Hera (Goddess of married Women)	Hephaestus (God of Metalwork)
Zeus (adopted father)	(none)	Aphrodite (Goddess of Love)
Zeus	Semele (mortal woman)	Dionysus (God of Wine)
Zeus	Maia (mortal woman)	Hermes (Messenger of the Gods)
Zeus	(None)	Athena ( Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare)
Zeus	Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memory)	Muses ( 9 Goddesses of the Arts and History)
Zeus	Alcmene (mortal woman)	Hercules (God of Strength and Courage)
Zeus	Hybris (mortal woman)	Pan (God of Herding and Mischief )