Zeus

From LitWiki
Zeus

Zeus, the King of the Gods and Husband of Hera. Zeus is the successor of Kronos as supreme god. His mother, Rhea, immediately after his birth, concealed him from Kronos, who ate all his offspring because he was fated to be overthrown by one of his children.

Zeus tricked Kronos into disgorging his brothers and sisters, leading them to a successful revolt against their father. When casting lots to divide the universe, the underworld went to Hades, the sea to Poseidon, and the heavens and earth to Zeus.

Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt, which he hurls at those who displease him. Although married to Hera, he is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those who lie or break oaths. He was the rain god and the cloud gatherer who wielded the terrible thunderbolt. His breastplate was the aegis, his bird the eagle, his tree the oak. He is represented as the god of justice and mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of the wicked.


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