Zeus - who is that? Zeus: the mythology of Ancient Greece

By the number of gods, the ancient Greeks can not compare to any people of our planet. Residents of Greece almost at every step guided by the advice of some deity. However, among them the most important was Zeus. Who is this character in Greek mythology? It is the god of lightning and thunder, and also the ruler of the whole world.

Who was Zeus, according to ancient myths?

The chief of all gods was considered the third son of Rhea and the titan of Kronos (Homer described him as the eldest son). In addition, he was the brother of Demeter, Aida, Poseidon, Hestia and Hera. Attributes of the main deity were a double ax (labrys) and a shield. Sometimes an eagle was depicted next to Zeus. And the abode of the thunderer was considered Olympus.

What did the god of thunder and lightning identify with?

So, Zeus. Who is this omnipotent ruler of the world? It was believed that he was able to distribute evil and good on the whole earth. In some myths, it is associated with fate itself. In some legends, the main god of Olympus, on the contrary, acts as a being that is dominated by rock. Mythology gives Zeus the ability to foresee the future. At the same time, he announces the destiny of fate by means of lightning, thunder, and dreams.

The ancient Greeks believed that the construction of public order is a direct merit of Zeus. It was he, in their opinion, who presented laws to people and power to the kings. It was believed that the main deity watches to ensure that all customs and traditions of the people are adhered to, and that the house and family were preserved.

Birth

Zeus - who is this main god? This is the representative of the third generation of deities, who overthrew their predecessors.

The post of the chief deity was given to Zeus not so simply. His father, the crafty and cunning Kronos, was most afraid that his own children would take over the world. And he decided to destroy them. For this, Kronos began to ingest his offspring alive. When Zeus's turn came, Rey hid her son on the island of Crete in one of the deepest caves. At the same time, she gave her husband a stone wrapped in diapers, which he swallowed, taking as a baby. Only after that Kronos calmed down, believing that no one else could threaten his throne.

Childhood

Meanwhile, in the cave of Crete, the hidden Zeus was slowly growing up. The mythology of ancient Greece plays an important role in his upbringing of the goat Amalthea and the nymph Melissa. The first fed the divine child with her milk. The cornucopia of the goat gave Zeus everything necessary. The nymph Melissa also showed great concern for the baby. She provided him with everything he could need. Gave him a nymph and a nutritious honey that promotes rapid growth. According to legend, faithful guards guarded the cave in which the divine offspring was. When the baby was crying, they loudly pounded their shields with their spears, so that Kronos would not hear anything.

Clash of the Titans

Years have passed. Zeus grew up and matured. Eventually the events unfolded exactly as promised to Kronos. The son overthrew his cruel father, forcing him to return all swallowed children to life. Six times they won a victory over the tyrant.

The most powerful Zeus began to reign in heaven. His brother Hades got an underground kingdom, and Poseidon - the sea. At the same time, they decided that they would manage the land together.

The Kingdom of the Gods

Olympus and Zeus in the mythology of ancient Greece - the concepts are inseparable. On this lofty mountain the mighty ruler decreed the destinies of people and all life on earth, surrounded by unquestioningly obeyed other gods.

The gates of Olympus were covered with a thick, lush cloud. Near it were the goddesses of the Mountain. Their job was to clean the cloud, letting the golden chariots go.
The kingdom of Zeus was different in that it was always a warm and warm summer. On the ground, on the contrary, thunderstorms and heavy rains were quite frequent. People believed that the Greek god Zeus was angry with them for some reason. Therefore, sends as a punishment of lightning and thunder. It is not without reason that in the ancient Greek myths and legends of the chief ruler Olympus was called the Thucerator and Thunderer.

Zeus in Olympia lived in a luxurious palace, at the gates of which two vessels were sure to stand. In one of them were the gifts of Good, and in the other - Evil. At times, Zeus drew the contents of these vessels, sending it to people.

A special place for ancient Greek myths was assigned to Moira. Despite the omnipotence of Zeus, it was these three goddesses who determined the destinies of both humans and gods.

Period of government

Ancient Greek mythology calls Zeus the father of men and gods. However, she says that his power over the gods of Olympus is weak, and fateful paths are often unknown to him. On the advice of Uranus-Neb and Gaia-Earth, Zeus swallowed Metis, his first wife. This he avoided the birth of a son who was to become stronger than his father.

The daughter of Gaia, Themis, opened Zeus's secret: the Tetis will have the same exact son. Then the ruler of all the gods refused to marry her and gave out the goddess for the hero Peleus.
And the second wife of Zeus became Themis, the goddess of justice. Their daughters are Ora. Thanks to them in the lives of people and gods, there is order and dimensionality.

The third legal wife of Zeus is Hera. But in fact, it is this goddess who patronizes the marriage bonds, became the first wife in its meaning.
The rule of Zeus significantly changes the world of all Olympians. Thanks to the daughters of the main deity from Eurinoma - Haritham - grace, joy and fun are brought into life. From Mnemosyne (the goddess of memory) , nine Muses are born to Zeus. This fact predetermines the fact that the thunderer in Greek mythology is called the source of inspiration for the ministers of science and art.

So gradually Zeus transforms the whole world. He generates gods, which bring order and law into life, morals and science, art, etc.

The meaning of Zeus in the mythology of ancient Greece is enormous. The main Olympic deity in the surviving texts is identified with the patron of city life and community of people, and also acts as a defender of the offended.

Olympic Games

Answering the question: "Zeus - who is this?", It is impossible not to mention the Olympic Games. After all, he is the founder of this spectacle, he lit the first Olympic flame, and it was in his honor from 776 BC that competitions were started on which the ancient Greek men demonstrated their strength, dexterity and beauty. The significance of these games was so great for people that wars ceased for the period of their holding. The city-states that participated in the hostilities concluded a temporary truce.