WORDPLAY
Gr. Myth. the chief deity, son of Cronus and Rhea and husband of Hera: identified with the Roman Jupiter
FAST FACTS
Titans, in Greek mythology, rebellious giant children of Uranus
Hades (or Pluto), in Greek mythology, god of lower world, also name of lower world
Poseidon, in Greek mythology, god of the sea, brother of Zeus and Hades; helped Greeks during Trojan War; corresponds to Roman god Neptune
Hera, in Greek mythology, queen of the gods, wife of Zeus, identified with Roman goddess Juno
The greatest of the gods in classical mythology was called Zeus by the Greeks and Jupiter, or Jove, by the Romans. He was the father of gods and men, protector of kings, supporter of law and order, and avenger of broken oaths and other offences. He watched over the state and the family and over strangers and suppliants; his hand wielded lightning and guided the stars; he gathered rain clouds; he ordained the changes of the seasons and regulated the whole course of nature. Zeus, with the other gods on Mount Olympus, ruled over the affairs of humankind.
According to the ancient story, Zeus expelled his father, Cronus, and the older dynasties of the Titans. He withstood the attacks of the giants and the conspiracies of the other gods. Zeuswas then allotted the empire of heaven and air; Hades (called Pluto by the Romans) was given that of the infernal regions; and Poseidon (Neptune), that of the sea. The Earth was left under the joint power of the three.
The wife of Zeus was Hera (Juno), queen of the gods. Their union was regarded as the divine prototype of all earthly marriage, even though Zeus was not always faithful to Hera. Some authorities explain his indiscretions by saying that many adventures of the other gods were ascribed to Zeus.
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was said to have been a statue of Zeus by Phidias in the great temple of Zeus at Olympia. The figure stood about 40 feet (12 meters) high and was made of ivory and gold in about 430 BC. The design is known from its image stamped on certain Greek coins.
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Related articles: RELIGIOUS INSIGHT, ZEUS, MYTHOLOGY, GREEK AND ROMAN ART, SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
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