• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The History Junkie
  • Military History
    • Revolutionary War
    • War of 1812
    • Mexican-American War
    • Civil War
    • World War 1 Timeline
    • World War 2 Timeline
  • Presidents
  • Age of Exploration
  • Native Americans
  • The West
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Presidents
  • Wild West
  • Military
  • Native Americans
  • Age of Exploration
  • Civil War
  • Revolutionary War
  • Mexican-American War
  • War of 1812
  • World War 1
  • World War 2
  • Family Trees
  • Explorers and Pirates
  • About Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Presidents
  • Wild West
  • Military
  • Native Americans
  • Age of Exploration
  • Civil War
  • Revolutionary War
  • Mexican-American War
  • War of 1812
  • World War 1
  • World War 2
  • Family Trees
  • Explorers and Pirates
  • About Me
×
Home » Ancient History

Zeus Greek God Of The Heavens Facts

Published: Jul 11, 2018 · Modified: Nov 9, 2023 by Russell Yost · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Zeus Greek god of Lightning, Heavens, and Sky, the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympia, and was the face of Greek Mythology. He was the primary deity that ruled over all of the deities and had rightfully earned his spot after leading a revolution to overthrow the Titans. While there are many things the Thunder god is known for, one of his primary attributes was his infidelity to his wife, Hera, which seemed to cause more problems than good.

Zeus Greek God
Jump to:
  • Zeus Greek God: The Rise to Olympia
  • The Women of Zeus
  • Online Resources

Zeus Greek God: The Rise to Olympia

Zeus was the son of Titans Cronus and Rhea. The mother of Cronus was Gaia, mother Earth, who prophesied that one of their children would overthrow the Titans and take control of the world. Cronos was struck with fear when he heard this and did what most wonderful fathers would do: he decided to eat his children. When Zeus was born, Rhea hid him from his cannibalistic father, handed him off to a couple of foster mothers, and hid him in Crete.

While being raised on Crete, Zeus met his first wife, Metis. Metis advised him to disguise himself as an Olympian cupbearer. Cronus was fooled and did not know that Zeus was his son. Zeus was able to give Cronus poisoned wine to drink, which then caused Cronus to throw up violently. During his heaves of vomit, Cronus reproduced all the children he had swallowed. Zeus, who had been the youngest, was now the oldest due to the rebirth of his siblings.

The siblings united and followed Zeus in a revolution against the Titans. They successfully overthrew the Titans and began their rule of the world from Mount Olympus.

Cronus' mother, Gaia, did not approve of Zeus' actions against the Titans and tried to usurp him multiple times but failed.

The Women of Zeus

Throughout the stories of Zeus Greek God of the Heavens, he seemed to always struggle with various women and prophesies.

  • Thetis - It was prophecied by Prometheus that the child that came from Thetis would be greater than the father. Zeus had eyes for Thetis, as did Poseidon, but both chose to move on from her in light of the prophecy. She went on to marry Peleus. Their son became Achilles.
  • Metis - Zeus' first wife, was also prophesied to give birth to a child that would be greater than the father. Zeus decided to perform the same trick as his father and swallow his impregnated wife. It did not matter as Athena was born.
  • Themis - Bore to him Horae and the Fates
  • Eurynome - The third wife of Zeus, brought Charites into the world
  • Demeter - Fourth wife, the sister of Zeus, whom he had Persephone.
  • Mnemosyne - The fifth wife who bore the Muses
  • Leto - Sixth and mother to Apollo and Artemis
  • Hera - Final wife of Zeus and mother to Ares, Hebe, and Hephaestus

Zeus had many lovers, that are too many to name here. He was a promiscuous god whose actions were often irresponsible and without reason.

Online Resources

  • Wikipedia - The Thunder God
  • Greek Mythology
  • Zeus vs Christian God Comparison
  • Zeus Family Tree
  • Difference between Zeus and Jupiter
  • The History Junkie's Guide to the Ancient World
  • The History Junkie's List of Greek Gods and Goddesses
  • The History Junkie's Timeline of Ancient Greece

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • About Me

Popular

  • Revolutionary War
  • Colonial America
  • Political History
  • Native American History
  • Presidents of the United States
  • Civil War
  • Famous Family Trees
  • Explorers and Pirates
  • The West
  • Ancient History
  • Sport History
  • Holiday History
  • State History

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 The History Junkie