The God of Ancient Greece Zeus is known to us as the chief god-Olympian, ruling the whole world, the sky, thunder and lightning. The god of Ancient Greece Zeus is associated with real fate, destiny. This is justified by the fact that they were protected by people: begging and praying. Zeus obeyed not only subjects, but also kings and other gods.
Ancient Greek God Zeus
The Greek god distinguished between good and evil, acquainted people with the concepts of shame and conscience. Zeus - the supreme god of Olympus, had three brothers, with whom the power shared. The location of the god was Mount Olympus, because the patriarchy of Zeus was called Olympic. The power of the patron did not satisfy other gods, because they tried to overthrow him from the throne. They did not succeed in carrying out a coup d'etat, because all the offenders were punished.
What does the god Zeus look like?
God of Ancient Greece Zeus was the father of all people and gods, and Roman mythology identified him with Jupiter. Thanks to Zeus, Greece had an orderly public order. The traditional description of the god Zeus is an image of a mature man with a noble face, thick snow-white locks, a beard and a strong mighty mill, strong slender hands. Later artists depict God in a huge variety of guises, among which Zeus appears as a deceiver of women, a character of love's vicissitudes.
What did Zeus protect?
The third son of Kronos differed from the other Gods. He was not only a fair, honest and decent leader, but also responsible for the welfare of the entire population. The main tasks of Zeus were:
- protect the city life;
- not to allow riots and chaos;
- to direct life in the right direction;
- to protect all the offended;
- protect the family hearth;
- to monitor the implementation of laws and observance of customs.
This is not the whole list of what Zeus was responsible for. The ancient Greek god of heaven and thunder was able to solve any pressing question, calm and appease everyone who needed help at a certain point in his life. Thanks to his "power", everyone was sure that justice will always triumph. The energy of the god spread to the whole Olympus and delighted with its purity.
Attributes of the god Zeus
Each attribute gave Zeus the Thunderer strength and was an integral part of the overall image. The main association with Zeus is lightning, which is in the hands of the patron, and serves as a material weapon. However, this is not all the attributes of God.
- The first and one of the main symbols of power recognized the eagle, which is associated with Zeus.
- The shield of Zeus is a symbol of anger and fury.
- A chariot drawn by eagles.
- Scepter.
- A hammer or a labrys.
Family of Zeus
Zeus belongs to the generation of the Titans. His father Kronos even before birth knew that his own son would overthrow his father's authority, therefore he swallowed every baby born to Rhea. As evidenced by the myth of the birth of Zeus, his mother deceived Kronos and produced a baby, hiding it. Find out the exact birthplace of the child is impossible, but the leader among all versions is the island of Crete. To clever Kronos did not notice the birth of his son, he had to absorb a stone in a diaper. Born Zeus laughed for a week - after that the number 7 was considered sacred.
The Cretan version of the myth insists that Zeus was raised by cocks and korobantami, fed with goat's milk, ate beeswax. To regard this information as the only correct one is difficult. Another version of the legend says that the boy, nourished by goat's milk, was guarded by the guards every minute. In cases where the child was crying, the guard beat the shields with spears to deceive the hearing of Kronos.
The raised god created a potion, by means of which he freed his brothers from Kronos. Mighty brothers started a fight with their father, a duration of 9 years. After a while, it was not possible to determine the winner. But, the sharp-witted Zeus the Thunderer found a way out, freeing the Cyclops and handicraftsmen. They helped to plunge the titan and overthrow it. After a protracted struggle, the three brothers finally began to rule the island.
Father of Zeus
According to ancient Greek mythology, Kronos was the supreme deity. Another version insists that Kronos is a god of Titan, Zeus' father was the god of agriculture, he was identified with Chronos. The reign of Kronos is considered the golden age in Greece. The main attribute of Kronos is the sickle. Kronos was the supreme god, and thanks to seniority, he became king.
Mother Zeus
The mother of the god Zeus, Ray was considered the goddess of the earth, was a Titanide and daughter of Gaia and Uranus. Rhea was the mother of Hestia - the goddess of the home, Demeter - the goddess of fertility, Hera - the goddess of the family, Hades, Poseidon, Zeus. Rhea was remembered by mythology, as a courageous and brave Titanide, who could go against the will of her husband, having secretly given birth to a child. Rhea had the power of healing, which was useful to her to save the life of Dionysus.
The wife of Zeus
According to some myths, Zeus was strongly attached to Thetis, he wanted to part with his wife for her. The only obstacle to this was prophecy. Zeus tempted the women, taking different forms: a swan, a bull, a snake, a rain, an ant, a bird, a beetle. Zeus was not distinguished by constancy and had many wives and lovers, among whom:
- Metida - the only wife of Zeus, who was swallowed;
- Themis;
- Hera is the last wife of God;
- Demeter;
- Thebes;
- Fthia;
- Aytos;
- Ganymede.
- Calliroja.
Son of Zeus
Zeus contributed to the birth of the most powerful sons, who made an imprint in the history of ancient Greek mythology. But, to the strong and brave sons, the gentle, intelligent and prolific daughters of Zeus are opposed. The sons of Zeus were:
- born Aphrodite love god Eros;
- the god of struggle Ares;
- the fiery god Hephaestus, who patronized the blacksmith's craft;
- Hermes, the patron of trade;
- horny babe Sabazi;
- the winemaking god Dionysus;
- Apollo is the son of Zeus, the god of light, music, medical craft.
- Egypt;
- patron of the herd Pan;
- Karpos.
Daughters of God Zeus
Zeus is the father of most of the known goddesses. Based on their number, the division into groups according to the tasks performed was accomplished.
- 9 Muses of Zeus led by Evterpe, Talia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polygymnia, Urania and Calliope. The goddesses were responsible for science, poetry, and art.
- Harities, responsible for fun, life joy and pleasure.
- Moira, among whom Clotho, Atropos, Lachesis - were responsible for the fate of man .
- Orami controlled the seasons.
- Erinium committed acts of revenge and rebellion.
- The senior muses include Telxyopu, Aedu, Arhu and Meletu.
The Greek god Zeus was the ruler of the earth and the dungeon, he judged the dead. A just and strong Zeus were committed as good deeds, and real feats in the name of universal good. Zeus - not only a real supreme god, patron and leader, he was a symbol of brotherly love, intelligence and logic. From a young age Zeus differed from peers with a thirst to live, fight for justice, win. The legendary Titan was a true fighter and general builder.