Mythology: Jupiter. Zeus and Jupiter - is there any difference?

Studying the mythology of the Roman Empire, it was easy to get confused among the names and kinship ties of the numerous deities. The situation was complicated when the Romans, having conquered the next territory, added to their own pantheon of deities, which the conquered people worshiped. New gods were often given Roman names, and it became difficult to figure out who of them was who. For example, the supreme Greek and Roman gods Zeus and Jupiter are identified in mythology, but they have different origins and spheres of influence.

The Pantheon of the Gods in the Roman Empire

The troops of the Romans conquered many countries, including Greece. But unlike other nations, the Greeks were able to conquer their invaders on a cultural level. In the first place, the religion of the Romans was subjected to Hellenistic influence.

Over time, the Greek deities were combined with the Roman and renamed. Thus, Zeus the Thunderer became the supreme god of the Romans named Jupiter.

Ancient mythology mentions that with the development of the cult of this deity, more and more "duties" were attributed to him. Like the Greeks, the Romans had the wife of Jupiter, his sister, the goddess of motherhood and the marriage of Juno (Hera). From this marriage the gods Mars were born (the father of the founders of Rome are the twins Romulus and Remus) and Vulcan (Hephaestus).

Jupiter had god-brothers Pluto (Hades), Neptune (Poseidon) and sister-goddess Cecera (Demeter, bore him a daughter Proserpin), Vesta (Hestia). Despite their equal origins, these gods submitted to Jupiter. Also there was a whole mass of other smaller deities like the Kamen (muse), grace (harity), bacchante (maenad), faun and others.

Supreme deity of the ancient Greeks - Zeus

In Greek mythology, the supreme deity was Zeus the Thunderer. His father was the powerful Titan Kronos and his own sister Ray. Titan was afraid that one of the offspring would dethrone him from the throne. Therefore, as soon as Rhea gave birth to his child - he swallowed it. However, his third son, Zeus, was rescued by his mother, and when he grew up, rebelled against his father, he saved his brothers and sisters swallowed earlier. Uniting with the Kiklops, Hecatonhaires and some Titans, the children of Kronos overthrew the father and his supporters, taking over the world in their own hands.

Initially, Zeus intended to rule himself, but the elder brothers Poseidon and Hades, saved by him, also had the right to power. Then, with the help of the lot, the god brothers divided the spheres of influence between themselves: Poseidon received seas and oceans, Hades - the underworld, and Zeus - heaven and earth. Although the sons of Kronos were equal, but Zeus was still regarded as the supreme deity, although he was sometimes rebelled against him.

Despite the fact that Zeus was the strongest among the gods, he was not omniscient and omnipotent. Like people, he depended on fate, was its keeper and performer, but not the lord. Zeus was revered by the Greeks as the most powerful and noble of the gods. Usually he was portrayed as a proud, muscular, bearded man. An essential attribute of this deity was lightning, and the symbols - eagle and oak.

It is commonly believed that earlier Zeus was also revered in India under the name of Dias, and later was "borrowed" by the Greeks. At first Zeus was considered a god of weather and celestial phenomena and was not at all like a human being. However, with the development of mythology, he began to look more like a man, and he was attributed to typical human traits, actions, and a pedigree.

Roman mythology: Jupiter

The cult of the king of gods and people of Ancient Rome of Jupiter existed even among the Latins. It is believed that originally it was the cult of the Etruscan god Tin. Later it was renamed Jupiter. Unfortunately, there is almost no information about his cult at the dawn of the Roman Empire, but it is reliably known that this deity did not have parents. With the development of the empire developed and its culture and mythology. Jupiter began to be identified with the Greek Zeus, and by analogy he created a genealogy: the father is the god of agriculture Saturn, whom he overthrew, and his mother - the goddess of the harvest of Opa.

The range of duties of Jupiter was much wider than that of Zeus. He not only managed the weather and ruled all the creatures in the world, but he was also the god of war, giving victory. The Romans believed that they were "favorites" of Jupiter, so they manage to conquer more lands. The cult of Jupiter was incredibly widespread in Rome, temples were built and generous sacrifices were made. Also in the beginning of autumn, every year grandiose festivities dedicated to this deity were held.

After the arrival of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the cult of Jupiter, like other gods, was abolished. However, for a long time, the Romans secretly revered this deity.

With the advent of the so-called "popular religion", when Christianity began to adjust pagan beliefs and rituals, Jupiter became identified with Elijah the prophet.

Differences between the Roman and Greek supreme deities

Much borrowed from Greek Roman mythology. Jupiter, meanwhile, although identified with Zeus, was different from him.

First of all, he is a more severe and serious god. So, for example, Zeus often loved to shirk his duties, and about his amorous adventures almost all Greek myths say. Jupiter, though, too, was not averse to having fun with a beautiful goddess or woman, did not give this much time. Instead, Jupiter was fascinated by the war. In the sphere of influence of the supreme deity were duties that the Greeks fulfilled the gods of war, Athena Pallas and Ares.

If the Greeks Zeus ruled lightning and thunder, then the Romans Jupiter was also the deity of both heavenly bodies. In addition, Jupiter was considered the god of the harvest, especially supportive of the vine-growers.

Mythology: Jupiter and Venus are the beloved deities of the Romans

If Jupiter was the beloved god of the Romans and their main patron, Venus is the beloved goddess.

Like most primordially Roman deities, Venus was at first not a man, but a phenomenon of nature - the goddess of the coming spring. However, gradually she became the patroness of beauty and love. Venus was the daughter of the Whole, the deity of the sky. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite was the daughter of the supreme deity Zeus and the goddess of rain, Dione.

The Romans considered Venus the mother of Aeneas, whose descendants founded Rome. Special development of the cult of this goddess acquired under Gaius Julius Caesar, who called the goddess ancestor of the genus Julius.

Many centuries have passed since the cult of the Roman and Greek gods was abolished. Today, for most, only an interesting tale of ancient deities and mythology. Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto are now associated with the planets of the solar system named in their honor. And in due time they were revered by whole nations as mighty deities.