| Zeus is where any discussion of ancient Greek | | | | Zeusalso had many other children by various |
| deities should start. In Greek religion, Zeus | | | | goddesses and consorts. With his wife Hera, he |
| represented the ultimate god and power. | | | | produced Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe and Eileithyia. |
| An Overview of Zeus and His Role In Ancient | | | | His other offspring included Hermes (by Maia), |
| Greece | | | | Perseus (by Danae), Dionysus (by Semele), Apollo |
| The many gods and goddesses found in ancient | | | | and Artemis (by Leto), the Muses (by |
| Greece formed a sort of society, with the twelve | | | | Mnemosyne) and Heracles by Alcmene. |
| (eventually 14) major deities residing on Mount | | | | Zeus's powers were not as varied as other gods |
| Olympus. From this mythical place, the Greek | | | | and goddesses that were his contemporaries, but |
| pantheon looked down on the mortals and other | | | | they were very strong. He had the ability to |
| mythical creatures, had interactions with others, | | | | force the transformation of others, mortals and |
| and even embarked on love affairs with non-gods. | | | | even mythical creatures, and he also was able to |
| The lead god of those that lived on Mount | | | | cast thunderbolts at those who had displeased |
| Olympus was Zeus, the Greek god of sky and | | | | him in any way. Being the "Sky God" made him |
| thunder, as well as the ruler of Mount Olympus | | | | also appear as the supreme god, and his |
| and the highest ranking in the pantheon. | | | | counterpart in Roman culture, Jupiter, also held |
| Zeus was the youngest son of the Titans | | | | this office. Olympia was the site of the biggest |
| Chronos and Rhea, older gods who were | | | | cult to Zeus, many people traveled there to |
| overthrown during the War of the Titans. | | | | worship all of the gods, but the games every four |
| Chronos had swallowed all of Zeus's siblings, and | | | | years were specifically dedicated to Zeus. |
| upon winning his battle with his father, Zeus | | | | While Zeus was undoubtedly revered as the head |
| forced Chronos to disgorge the rest of his | | | | of all religion in ancient Greece, many other gods |
| children. Some of these siblings became installed | | | | and goddesses were seen as just as important to |
| gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus, and he | | | | specific areas. Zeus was mostly worshiped to |
| even married one of them, his elder sister Hera. | | | | appease his easily angered persona, with many |
| His original wife, however, was Dione - but not | | | | sacrifices held to this great god. |
| much is known about this goddess-like figure. His | | | | Richard Monk is with - a site with facts about |
| union with Dione, according to the Iliad (by Homer) | | | | Greece. |
| produced the Olympic goddess Aphrodite. | | | | |