Zeus

Zeus is the chief god in Greek mythology. He was believed to rule over all other gods and humans. Zeus was known as the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning. Ancient Greeks believed he controlled storms and weather. He lived on Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Zeus was often shown holding a lightning bolt, which was his main symbol.

According to Greek myths, Zeus was the son of Cronus and Rhea. Cronus was a Titan, which means an older god from an earlier generation. Cronus feared that one of his children would replace him. To stop this, he swallowed his children when they were born. Rhea hid Zeus and saved him. When Zeus grew up, he forced Cronus to release his brothers and sisters. These included Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, and Hestia. Together, they defeated the Titans.

After the victory over the Titans, Zeus became the ruler of the gods. He divided control of the world with his brothers. Zeus ruled the sky. Poseidon ruled the sea. Hades ruled the underworld, which was the land of the dead. Zeus remained the highest authority. The other gods were expected to obey his decisions.

Zeus was married to Hera, the goddess of marriage and family. Hera was both his wife and his sister. Their relationship was often shown as difficult in myths. Zeus had many children with different goddesses and human women. These children included gods such as Athena and Apollo, and heroes such as Heracles. These stories were used to explain the family connections between gods and heroes.

Zeus was also seen as a god of law and order. He was believed to protect justice, oaths, and rules. An oath is a serious promise. People believed Zeus punished those who broke oaths or acted unfairly. Kings and leaders prayed to Zeus for guidance and authority. Temples were built in his honor across ancient Greece.

Zeus appears often in ancient Greek art, stories, and poems. Writers such as Homer and Hesiod described him in their works. Zeus later influenced Roman mythology, where he was known as Jupiter. The stories of Zeus help explain how ancient Greeks understood power, nature, and leadership.