How Did Zeus Influence Greek Society

The Greek society believed in polytheism. They believed that their were many gods and that each god has the power to control different aspects of nature. In this paper I will be explaining why this has come to be. I will also tell you about the fact that no matter what the Greek Gods do it will affect the Greek Society, and no matter what the Greek Society does it will affect themselves or the Greek Gods.

The supreme ruler and king of gods, Zeus, is often mentioned as Jupiter and the sender of thunder, lightning, rain, and wind (Britannica.com). “Zeus was the first of the gods and a very imposing figure. Often referred to as ‘the father of gods and men,’ he is a sky god who controls lightning.” (Britannica.com) Although the god is labeled most powerful and the mightiest of all, he is not perfect. Zeus is known for his promiscuous action. Often times he fell in love with one woman after the other and attempted to disguise his infidelity from his wife. Zeus left no woman behind in his crazy love-life, the god married and had children with his sister, Hera and. Hera was not Zeus’ only siblings. He also had two brothers, Poseidon and Hades and another sister named Hestia. His parents are known as Cronus and Rhea. Zeus was not just handed the title “god of the sky,” instead him and his two brothers drew lots. The sea was given to Poseidon, the underworld to Hades, and Zeus was named lord of the sky, rain god, and cloud gatherer. The eagle is considered sacred to this god. Zeus also treasures the oak tree. It is often told that the gods will was revealed by the rustling of the oak tree. (Hamilton 27)

Zeus was the child of the Titans, Cronus and Rhea, and was the youngest of all his siblings. Cronus , Zeus’ father, had been warned that one of his children would overthrow him. Cronus knew the consequences, for he had overthrown his father, Uranus. To prevent this from

her to give him the baby so he could swallow it. She hid Zeus in a

Zeus, he was the king of the gods and the supreme ruler of people. He originally was a god of the sky. In time, the Greeks regarded him as the only god who concerned him-self with the whole universe. They also associated Zeus with justice and believed that he punished the wicked and rewarded the good. He belonged to the race of Titans, and was the son of Cronus and Rhea. After overthrowing Cronus, Zeus took his father's place and ruled from Mount Olympus. He headed a family of twelve major gods, called the Olympians.

Zeus was considered to be the leader of the Olympian gods of Mount Olympus. He was the god of the sky and thunder. He had many powers but the most significant was the power to wield lightning bolts. He could hurl lightning bolts at people who defied him or other gods who he was displeased with. He was the youngest child of Cronus and Rhea and was planned to get eaten by Cronus like all of his brothers and sisters before him, but he was hidden from Cronus at Mount Dicte. He then went on to overthrow Cronus and control the gods. He had twenty-four children and some of them were powerful gods. He also had some half god children like Hercules. He lives on the top of Mount Olympus with Hera, his wife.

“The supreme deity of Greek mythology has his lusty, tempestuous story recast in engaging fashion by Stone”(ProQuest). Zeus was thought of as the father of gods and men. While he did not make them, he protected them, and therefore was considered a father to them. He ruled over the sky and air, and controlled everything that happened in his domains from his throne on Mount Olympus. To gain his throne, he overthrew his father, Cronos, with the help of his siblings, and then dividing up the realms between him and his two elder brothers. Zeus became lord of the sky and rain, Poseidon took the title lord of the sea, and Hades became ruler of the underworld. He then banished his father to the shadowy Tartarus in the underworld. Zeus was the most

Zeus was birthed by the Titans Cronus, the god of time, and Rhea, the goddess of female fertility. He was the youngest of six siblings, which were all consumed by his father, who out of his fear of one of his children overthrowing him, “swallowed every child Rhea…[had given] birth to” (Gods, 2017). He was able to grow up without his father devouring him since his mother and Gaia had tricked Cronus into believing

In the past, many great civilizations were heavily influenced by religion. Their religious beliefs inspired and shaped their art, culture, architecture, and technology, and helped drive their progress forward.

Zeus was birthed by the Titans Cronus, the god of time, and Rhea, the goddess of female fertility. He was the youngest of six siblings, which were all consumed by his father, who out of his fear of one of his children overthrowing him, “swallowed every child Rhea…[had given] birth to” (Gods, 2017). He was able to grow up without his father devouring him since his mother and Gaia had tricked Cronus into

Zeus was the supreme god and ruler of Olympus. He was known by many names: Lord of the Sky, the Rain-god, the Cloud-gatherer, and Zeus the Thunderer. Zeus was the sixth child born to Cronus and Rhea behind Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Dementer, and Hera. The high soaring eagle was sacred to him, and to the Romans he was known as Jupiter. Zeus was a strong, mighty, awesome, glorious, and wise god. Although, he was very foolish and naïve with hiding his love affairs from Hera.

Zeus’ affinity for being the main character of a myth is no different in the epic myth about his fight against Cronus and the Titans or the “Titanomachy.” In this larger-than-life battle Zeus has to overthrow his father Cronus and take his predestined place as king of the gods. In this myth however, Zeus has to grow and overcome many challenges that stand in his way to greatness. Zeus has to ask for help from his mother in order to be able to free his sibling from his father Cronus who had swallowed them whole. After Zeus frees his siblings he has to face the mighty Titans, so he asks the Cyclops and the Hecatonchires to aid him in this battle that lasts

Zeus’s story goes all the way back to his grandfather Ouranos. Ouranos once was the ruler of the heavens as well as he was married to Gaea also known as earth. These two had several sons and daughters who grew up to be Giants, the Titans, and the Oceanus. Ouranus kids grew up fast becoming smarter, and thirsty for strength. There was so many kids that Ouranus had that he started getting afraid that some may try to overthrow him.

Throughout Greek myths, Zeus plays a highly important role because he is the king of the gods, involved in many mortals’ lives, and continually effects these mortals lives. This effect mirrors many norms within Ancient Greek society which was highly focused on male figures who dictated the decisions of families and individuals and their choices were often not questioned or change by others. This presents a difference from many aspects of modern society, and at times, this difference shocks modern audiences interacting with Greek myth. Specifically, one can find actions and characteristics of the god Zeus by examining his role in the myths of the Rape of Persephone, Io, and Heracles that would shock modern audiences.

The work f some ancient Greek writers, scientists, and philosophers until this day still continues to inspire us, that is from the poetic writer Homer, to the instructor of Alexander the Great Aristotle. Many of their literature writing were passed to one another orally and not recorded. Some of these ancient Greek writers, scientists, and philosophers are Democritus, Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Aristophanes, Aeschylus, Sophocles, homer, Hippocrates, and Thales. These writers have had a huge impact on modern society. First, is Democritus, who broke down further and created the atomic theory.