ZEUS

ZEUS was the King of the Gods and the god of the skyweatherlaw and orderdestiny and fateand kingship. He was depicted as a regalmature man with a sturdy figure and dark beard. His usual attributes were a lightning bolta royal sceptre and an eagle.

MYTHS

Zeus was the youngest child of the Titans Kronos (Cronus) and Rheia. Kronos devoured each of his children as they were bornbut Zeus escaped this fate when his mother spirited him awayhanding the Titan a stone substitute wrapped in swaddling cloth. <<More>>

The god was raised in secrecy on Mount Dikte in Krete (Crete) where he was nursed by nymphs on the milk of the goat Amaltheia and guarded by the warrior Kouretes (Curetes) who drowned out the sound of his crying with their shield-clashing battle-dance. <<More>>

Upon coming of age Zeus recruited the goddess Metis to his cause. She served the Titan Kronos a magical draught which caused him to disgorge the young gods he had devoured. <<More>>

Zeus liberated the six giant-sons of Heaven from the pit of Tartaros. In gratitude the Kyklopes (Cyclopes) armed him with lightning-bolts and the Hekatonkheires (Hundred-Handed) aided him in his assault on the Titanes with volleys of thrown boulders. Kronos and his allies were eventually defeated and banished to a prison beneath the earth. <<More>>

After the fall of the Titan-godsZeus and his brothers drew lots to divide rule of the cosmos - Zeus won the heavensPoseidon the sea and Haides the underworld.

Zeus devoured the pregnant goddess Metis when an oracle revealed that her son was destined to replace him as King of the Gods. Their childAthenawas subsequently born in his belly and birthed directly from his head. <<More>>

Zeus married his sister Heraqueen of the heavensafter seducing her in the guise of a cuckoo-bird. But this union of ever quarreling sky-god and sky-goddess proved not to be a match made in heaven! <<More>>

Prometheus crafted the race of man and gave them fire stolen from the gods of heaven. Zeus punished this act by ordering the creation of the first womanPandoraand sent her to earth with a vessel full of troubles to plague mankind. Prometheus himself was arrested and chained to a mountain with an eagle set to torment him. <<More>>

The early generations of man descended into wickedness and corruption and Zeus decided to wipe them from the face of the earth with a great deluge. One virtuous coupleDeukalion and Pyrrhawere spared and afterwards allowed to repopulate the world with the casting of stones which transformed into men. <<More>>

The earth-goddess Gaia (Gaea)angered by the imprisonment of the Titanesurged the Giants to rise up against the gods of Olympos. They laid siege to the heavenly fortress but Zeus laid low their king and many others with his deadly lightning-bolts. <<More>>

Gaia produced one more giantTyphoeusthe most monstrous of his kind and set him upon Olympos. The rest of the gods fled in horror and Zeus himself was defeated in combat with the monster tearing the sinews from his limbs rendering him helpless. Pan later stole back the god's strength andrestoredZeus defeated the giant in a rematch and bound him beneath Mount Etna. <<More>>

Zeus seduced many mortal woman including Leda in the guise of a swanEuropa as a bullDanae as a shower of goldAlkmene as her own husbandKallisto (Callisto) as the goddess Artemisand Antiope as a satyr. <<More>>

The god's favorite mortal son was Herakles (Heracles) whom he supported throughout his trials and eventually welcomed to Olympos as a god.

Zeus punished the worst villians of myth for their impiety and crimes against the gods including Tantalos who stole ambrosia from heavenLykaon (Lycaon) who served human flesh to the godsIxion who attempted to rape Zeus' wife the goddess Heraand Salmoneus who tried to imitate Zeus and steal the worship that was due the gods.

Many other myths are detailed over the following pages.

SYMBOLS & ATTRIBUTES

Zeus' most distinctive attribute was his stylized lightning bolt which he wielded in his hand like a javelin. His other attributes included a royal sceptrea thronean eaglea miniature Nike (winged goddess of victory), and the aigis (a goat-skin arm-guard). The god was usually clothed in a long robe (chiton) and cloak (himation) but was sometimes depicted nude. He was often crowned with a wreath of olive leaves.

Below are some examples of his attributes as depicted in ancient Greek art:-

1. Lightning bolt; 2. Lightning bolt; 3. Throne; 4. Wreath of olive-leaves.

SACRED ANIMALS & PLANTS

Zeus' sacred animals were the eagle and the bull. In myth he abducted the youth Ganymede in the shape of an eagle and the maiden Europa in the guise of a bull.
His sacred plants were the evergreen holm oak and the olive tree. At the ancient oracle of Dodona Zeus' priests were inspired by the rustling of oak-leavesand at the Olympic Games victors were crowned with a wreath of olive-leaves picked from the god's sacred grove.

Below are examples of the god's animals as depicted in ancient Greek art and photos of his sacred plants:-

1. Eagle; 2. Bull; 3. Holm oak; 4. Olive tree.

RETINUE OF ZEUS

Befitting his role as King of the GodsZeus was attended by a large complement of lesser divinities.

His throne was guarded by four winged spiritstwo male and two femalenamed Kratos (Strength)Zelos (Rivalry)Nike (Victory) and Bia (Force). Kratos and Bia functioned as muscular enforcers and were tasked with jobs such as the apprehension and imprisonment of the Titan Prometheus. Nike drove Zeus' chariot and often accompanied him in miniature form as something of a divine familiar.

The god Hermes was Zeus' personal herald who acted as diplomatenvoy and general agent of the god's will.

His messenger was Iristhe winged goddess of the rainbowwho simply relayed messages verbatim and delivered commands to the other gods.

Zeus' high councillor Themisgoddess of law and orderwas seated beside his throne. She was attended by their six daughters the Moirai (Fates) and the Horai (Seasons). These goddesses were collectively responsible for the orderly functioning of the cosmos. Themis was also charged with summoning all of the gods to assembly in the courtyard of Zeus.

The god's virgin sister Hestia also resided in his palace where she tended the ever-burningdivine hearth-fire in the center of his hall.

Metisgoddess of wisdomwas perhaps his most unusual attendant. Zeus swallowed her whole to avoid a prophesy and she took up residence in his belly. The ancient Greeks believed the belly rather than the brain was the seat of thought and emotionand so by subsuming her he effectively implanted wise counsel in his mind. She continued to exist in some form or other within the godeven to the extent of birthing Athena there and equipping her with armour and weapons before her second birth from Zeus' head.

Ganymede and the goddess Hebe were Zeus' cupbearers who served ambrosia and nectar at the feasts of the gods.
The winged Harpyiai (Harpies)known as the "hounds of Zeus"were crude creatures tasked by the god with carrying off or harrassing mortals.
Pegasosthe winged horsecarried Zeus' lightning boltsand four other immortal horses drew his chariot through the sky.

ZEUS PAGES ON THEOI.COM

This site contains a total of 8 pages describing the godincluding general descriptionsmythologyand cult. The content is outlined in the Index of Zeus Pages (left column or below).

FAMILY OF ZEUS

PARENTS

KRONOS & RHEA (Homer Iliad 15.187Hesiod Theogony 453Apollodorus 1.4Diodorus Siculus 5.68.1et al)

OFFSPRING

See Family of Zeus

Zeus was a son of the Titans Kronos (Cronus) and Rheia and a grandson of Ouranos (the Sky) and Gaia (the Earth). He was a brother of the gods PoseidonHaidesHeraDemeter and Hestia.
Zeus married his sisterthe sky-goddess Heraand they had three children - AresHebe and Eileithyia.
His other divine consorts included: his sister Demeter mother of Persephone; his cousins Metis mother of Athena, Leto mother of Apollon and Letoand Maia mother of Hermes; his aunts Dione mother of AphroditeThemis mother of the Moirai (Fates) and Horai (Seasons)and Mnemosyne mother of the Mousai (Muses); and his descendant Semele mother of Dionysos.
He was also the father of innumerable mortal kings and heroesthe most famous of which were PerseusHerakles (Heracles)and Helene of Troy. <<More>>

Below are two graphics depicting Zeus' core family treethe first with names transliterated from the Greek and the second with the common English spellings:-

A much more detailed family tree for Zeus including all of his immortal lovers and children can be found here (transliterated Greek version) and here (English names version).

ENCYCLOPEDIA

ZEUS (Zeus)the greatest of the Olympian godsand the father of gods and menwas a son of Cronos and Rheaa brother of PoseidonHades (Pluto)HestiaDemeterHeraand at the same time married to his sister Hera. When Zeus and his brothers distributed among themselves the government of the world by lotPoseidon obtained the seaHades the lower worldand Zeus the heavens and the upper regionsbut the earth became common to all (Hom. Il. xv. 187&c.i. 528ii. 111; Virg. Aen. iv. 372).

Later mythologers enumerate three Zeus in their genealogies two Arcadian ones and one Cretan; and tne first is said to be a son of Aetherthe second of Coelusand the third of Saturnus (Cic. de Nat. Deor. iii. 21). This accounts for the fact that some writers use the name of the king of heaven who sends dewrainsnow, thunderand lightning for heaven itself in its physical sense. (Horat. Carm. i. 1. 25 ; Virg. Georg. ii. 419.)

According to the Homeric account Zeuslike the other Olympian godsdwelt on Mount Olympus in Thessalywhich was believed to penetrate with its lofty summit into heaven itself (Il. i. 221&c.354609xxi. 438). He is called the father of gods and men (i. 514v. 33; comp. Aeschyl. Sept. 512)the most high and powerful among the immortalswhom all others obey (Il. xix. 258viii. 10&c.). He is the highest rulerwho with his counsel manages every thing (i. 175viii. 22)the founder of kingly powerof law and of orderwhence DiceThemis and Nemesis are his assistants (i. 238ii. 205ix. 99xvi. 387; comp. Hes. Op. et D. 36 ; Callim. Hymn. in Jov. 79).

For the same reason he protects the assembly of the people (agoraios)the meetings of the council (boulaios), and as he presides over the whole stateso also over every house and family (herkeiosOd. xxii. 335; comp. Ov. Ib. 285). He also watched over the sanctity of the oath (horkios)the law of hospitality (xenios)and protected suppliants (hikesiosOd. ix. 270; comp. Paus. v. 24. § 2). He avenged those who were wrongedand punished those who had committed a crimefor he watched the doings and sufferings of all men (epopsiosOd. xiii. 213; comp. Apollon. Rhod. i. 1123).

He was further the original source of all prophetic powerfront whom all prophetic signs and sounds proceeded (panomphaiosIl. viii. 250 ; comp. Aeschyl. Eum. 19 ; Callim. Hymn. in Jov. 69). Every thing good as well as bad comes from Zeusand according to his own choice he assigns their good or evil lot to mortals (Od. iv. 237vi. 188ix. 552Il. x. 71xvii. 632&c.)and fate itself was subordinate to him.

He is armed with thunder and lightningand the shaking of his aegis produces storm and tempest (Il. xvii. 593) : a number of epithets of Zeus in the Homeric poems describe him as the thundererthe gatherer of cloudsand the like.

He was married to Heraby whom he had two sonsAres and Hephaestusand one daughterHebe (Il. i. 585v. 896Od. xi. 604). Hera sometimes acts as an independent divinityshe is ambitious and rebels against her lordbut she is nevertheless inferior to himand is punished for her opposition (Il. xv. 17&c.xix. 95&c.) ; his amours with other goddesses or mortal women are not concealed from her, though they generally rouse her jealousy and revenge (Il. xiv. 317). During the Trojan warZeusat the request of Thetisfavoured the Trojansuntil Agamemnon made good the wrong he had done to Achilles.

Zeusno doubtwas originally a god of a portion of naturewhence the oak with its eatable fruit and the fertile doves were sacred to him at Dodona and in Arcadia (hence also rainstormsand the seasons were regarded as his workand hence the Cretan stories of milkhoneyand cornucopia) ; but in the Homeric poems, this primitive character of a personification of certain powers of nature is already effaced to some extentand the god appears as a political and national divinityas the king and father of menas the founder and protector of all institutions hallowed by lawcustom. or religion.

Hesiod (Theog. 116, &c.) also calls Zeus the son of Cronos and Rhea and the brother of Hestia, DemeterHeraHadesand Poseidon. Cronos swallowed his children immediately after their birthbut when Rhea was near giving birth to Zeusshe applied to Uranus and Ge for advice as to how the child might be saved. Before the hour of birth cameUranus and Ge sent Rhea to Lyctos in Creterequesting her to bring up her child there. Rhea accordingly concealed her infant in a cave of Mount Aegaeonand gave to Cronos a stone wrapped up in clothwhich he swallowed in the belief that it was his son. Other traditions state that Zeus was born and brought up on Mount Dicte or Ida (also the Trojan Ida)Ithome in MesseniaThebes in BoeotiaAegion in Achaia, or Olenos in Aetolia. According to the common accounthoweverZeus grew up in Crete. As Rhea is sometimes identified with GeZeus is also called a son of Ge. (Aeschyl. Suppl. 901.)

In the meantime Cronos by a cunning device of Ge or Metis was made to bring up the children he had swallowed, and first of all the stonewhich was afterwards set up by Zeus at Delphi. The young god now delivered the Cyclopes from the bonds with which they had been fettered by Cronosand they in their gratitude provided him with thunder and lightning. On the advice of Ge. Zeus also liberated the hundred-armed GigantesBriareos, Cottusand Gyesthat they might assist him in his fight against the Titans. (Apollod. i. 2. § 1; Hes. Theog. 617, &c.) The Titans were conquered and shut up in Tartarus (Theog. 717)where they were henceforth guarded by the Hecatoncheires. Thereupon Tartarus and Ge begot Typhoeuswho began a fearful struggle with Zeusbut was conquered. (Theog. 820, &c.)

Zeus now obtained the dominion of the worldand chose Metis for his wife. (Theog. 881, &c.) When she was pregnant with Athenahe took the child out of her body and concealed it in his ownon the advice of Uranus and Gewho told him that thereby he would retain the supremacy of the world. For Metis had given birth to a sonthis son (so fate had ordained it) would have acquired the sovereignty. After this Zeusby his second wife Themis. became the father of the Horae and Moerae; of the Charites by Eurynomeof Persephone by Demeter, of the Muses by Mnemosyneof Apollo and Artemis by Letoand of HebeAresand Eileithyia by Hera. Athena was born out of the head of Zeus; while Heraon the other handgave birth to Hephaestus without the co-operation of Zeus. (Theog. 8866, &c.)

The family of the Cronidae accordingly embraces the twelve great gods of OlympusZeus (the head of them all), PoseidonApolloAresHermesHephaestusHestiaDemeterHeraAthenaAphroditeand Artemis. These twelve Olympian godswho in some places were worshipped as a bodyas at Athens (Thueyd. vi. 54)were recognised not only by the Greeksbut were adopted also by the Romanswhoin particularidentified their Jupiter with the Greek Zeus.

In surveying the different local traditions about Zeusit would seem that originally there were severalat least threedivinities which in their respective countries were supremebut which in the course of time became united in the minds of tile people into one great national divinity. We may accordingly speak of an Arcadian, DodonaeanCretanand a national Hellenic Zeus.

1. The Arcadian Zeus (Zeus Lukaios) was bornaccording to the legends of the countryin Arcadia, either on Mount Parrhasion (Callim. Hymn. in Jov. 710)or in a district of Mount Lycaeonwhich was called Cretea. (Paus. viii. 38. § 1 ; Callim. l. c. 14.) He was brought up there by the nymphs TheisoaNedaand Hagno; the first of these gave her name to an Arcadian townthe second to a riverand the third to a well. (Paus. viii. 38. § 2&c.47. § 2; comp. Callim. l. c. 33.) Lycaona son of Pelasguswho built the first and most ancient town of Lycosuracalled Zeus Lycaeusand erected a temple and instituted the festival of the Lyceia in honour of him; he further offered to him bloody sacrifices, and among others his own sonin consequence of which he was metamorphosed into a wolf (lukos; Paus. viii. 2. § 138. § 1; Callim. l. c. 4 ; Ov. Met. i. 218.) No one was allowed to enter the sanctuary of Zeus Lycaeus on Mount Lycaeonand there was a belief thatif any one entered ithe died within twelve months afterand that in it neither human beings nor animals cast a shadow. (Paus. viii. 38. § 5; comp. Schol. ad Callim. Hymn. in Jov. 13.) Those who entered it intentionally were stoned to death, unless they escaped by flight; and those who had got in by accident were sent to Eleutherae. (Plut. Quaest. Gr. 39.) On the highest summit of Lycaeonthere was an altar of Zeusin front of whichtowards the eastthere were two pillars bearing golden eagles. The sacrifices offered there were kept secret. (Paus. viii. 38. § 5; Callim. l. c. 68.)

2. The Dodonaean Zeus (Zeus Dôdônaios or Pelasgikos) possessed the most ancient oracle in Greeceat Dodona in Epeirusnear mount Tomarus (Tmarus or Tomurus)from which he derived his name. (Hom. Il. ii. 750xvi. 233; Herod. ii. 52 ; Paus. i. 17. § 5; Strab. v. p. 338vi. p. 504; Virg. Eclog. viii. 44.) At Dodona Zeus was mainly a prophetic godand the oak tree was sacred to him ; but there too he was said to have been reared by if the Dodonaean nymphs (Hyades; Schol. ad Hom. Il. xviii. 486; Hygin. Fab. 182 ; Ov. Fast. vi. 711Met. iii. 314). Respecting the Dodonaean oracle of Zeussee Dict. of Ant. s. v. Oraculum.

3. The Cretan Zeus (Zeus Diktaios or Krêtagenês). We have already given the account of him which is contained in the Theogony of Hesiod. He is the godto whom Rheaconcealed from Cronosgave birth in a cave of mount Dicteand whom she entrusted to the Curetes and the nymphs Adrasteia and Idathe daughters of Melisseus. They fed him with milk of the goat Amaltheiaand the bees of the mountain provided him with honey. (Apollod. i. 1. § 6; Callim. l. c. ; Diod. v. 70; comp. Athen. xi. 70; Ov. Fast. v. 115.) Crete is called the island or nurse of the great Zeusand his worship there appears to have been very ancient. (Virg. Aen. iii. 104; Dionys. Perieg. 501.) Among the places in the island which were particularly sacred to the godwe must mention the district about mount Idaespecially Cnosuswhich was said to have been built by the Curetesand where Minos had ruled and conversed with Zeus (Hom. Od. xix. 172; Plat. de Leg. i. 1; Diod. v. 70; Strab. x. p. 730; Cic. de Nat. Deor. iii. 21); Gortynwhere the godin the form of a bulllanded when he had carried off Europa from Phoeniciaand where he was worshipped under the surname of Hecatombaeus (Hesych. s. v.) ; further the towns about mount Dicteas Lyctos (Hes. Theog. 477)PraesosHierapytnaBiennosEleuthernae and Oaxus. (Comp. HoeckCreta, i. p. 160&c.339&c.)

4. The national Hellenic Zeus, near whose temple at Olympia in Elisthe great national panegyris was celebrated every fifth year. There too Zeus was regarded as the father and king of gods and menand as the supreme god of the Hellenic nationHis statue there was executed by Pheidiasa few years before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian warthe majestic and sublime idea for this statue having been suggested to the artist by the words of HomerIl. i. 527. (Comp. Hygin. Fab. 223.) According to the traditions of Elis, Cronos was the first ruler of the countryand in the golden age there was a temple dedicated to him at Olympia. Rheait is further saidentrusted the infant Zeus to the Idaean Dactylswho were also called Curetesand had come from mount Ida in Crete to Elis. Heraclesone of themcontended with his brother Dactyls in a footrace, and adorned the victor with a wreath of olive. In this manner he is said to have founded the Olympian gamesand Zeus to have contended with Cronos for the kingdom of Elis. (Paus. v. 7. § 4.)

The Greek and Latin poets give to Zeus an immense number of epithets and surnameswhich are derived partly from the places where he was worshippedand partly from his powers and functions. He was worshipped throughout Greece and her coloniesso that it would be useless and almost impossible to enumerate all the places.

The eaglethe oakand the summits of mountains were sacred to himand his sacrifices generally consisted of goatsbulls and cows. (Hom. Il. ii. 403; Aristot. Ethic. v. 10ix. 2; Virg. Aen. iii. 21ix. 627.) His usual attributes arethe sceptreeaglethunderboltand a figure of Victory in his handand sometimes also a cornucopia. The Olympian Zeus sometimes wears a wreath of oliveand the Dodonaean Zeus a wreath of oak leaves.

In works of art Zeus is generally represented as the omnipotent father and king of gods and menaccording to the idea which had been embodied in the statue of the Olympian Zeus by Pheidias.

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

HYMNS TO ZEUS

I) THE HOMERIC HYMNS

Homeric Hymn 23 to Cronides (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th to 4th B.C.) :
"To [Zeus] Kronides (Cronides) (Son of Kronos)Most High (hypatos). I will sing of Zeuschiefest among the gods and greatestall-seeingthe lord of allthe fulfiller who whispers words of wisdom to Themis as she sits leaning towards him. Be graciousall-seeing Kronidesmost excellent and great!"

II) THE ORPHIC HYMNS

Orphic Hymn 15 to Zeus (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) :
"O Zeusmuch-honouredZeus supremely greatto thee our holy rites we consecrateour prayers and expiationsking divinefor all things to produce with ease through mind is thine. Hence mother earth (gaia) and mountains swelling high proceed from theethe deep and all within the sky. Kronion (Cronion) kingdescending from abovemagnanimouscommandingsceptred Zeus; all-parentprinciple and end of allwhose power almighty shakes this earthly ball; even nature trembles at thy mighty nodloud-soundingarmed with lightningthundering god. Source of abundancepurifying kingO various-formedfrom whom all natures spring; propitious hear my prayergive blameless healthwith peace divineand necessary wealth."

Orphic Hymn 19 to Zeus of Thunder :
"To Zeus Keraunos (Ceraunus) (Thundering). O father Zeuswho shakest with fiery light the world, deep-sounding from thy lofty height. From thee proceeds the ethereal lightning's blazeflashing around intolerable rays. Thy sacred thunders shake the blest abodesthe shining regions of the immortal Gods. Thy power divine the flaming lightning shrouds with dark investiture in fluid clouds. 'Tis thine to brandish thunders strong and direto scatter stormsand dreadful darts of fire; with roaring flames involving all aroundand bolts of thunder of tremendous sound. Thy rapid dart can raise the hair uprightand shake the heart of man with wild affright. Suddenunconqueredholythundering Godwith noise unbounded flying all abroad; with all-devouring forceentire and stronghorriduntamedthou rollest the flames along. Rapidethereal boltdescending firethe earthall-parenttrembles at thine ire; the sea all-shiningand each beastthat hears the sound terrificwith dread horror fears: when nature's face is bright with flashing fireand in the heavens resound they thunders dire. They thunders white the azure garments tearand burst the veil of all-surrounding air. O Zeusall-blessedmay thy wrath severehurled in the bosom of the deep appearand on the tops of mountains be revealedfor thy strong arm is not from us concealed. Propitious to these sacred rites inclineand to thy suppliants grant a life divineadd royal healthand gentle peace besidewith upright reasoning for a constant guide."

Orphic Hymn 20 to Zeus of Lightning :
"To Zeus Astrapaios (Astrapaeus) (Lightning Maker). I call the mightyholysplendidlightaerial, dreadful-soundingfiery-brightflamingethereal lightwith angry voicelighting through lucid clouds with crashing noise. Untamedto whom resentments dire belongpureholy powerall-parentgreat and strong: come, and benevolent these rites attendand grant the mortal life a pleasing end."

Orphic Hymn 73 to the Daemon :
"To the Daimon [Zeus]. Theemighty ruling Daimon dreadI callmild Zeuslife-givingand the source of all: great Zeusmuch wanderingterrible and strongto whom revenge and tortures dire belong. Mankind from thee in plenteous wealth aboundwhen in their dwellings joyful thou art found; or pass through life afflicted and distressedthe needful means of bliss by thee suppressed. 'Tis thine aloneendued with boundless mightto keep the keys of sorrow and delight. O holy blessed fatherhear my prayerdisperse the seeds of life-consuming carewith favouring mind the sacred rites attendand grant to life a glorious blessed end."

ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN ART

K1.1 Zeus Wielding Lightning

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K1.2 Zeus Wielding Lightning

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

T24.2 Zeus & NikeWar of Giants

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

K1.3 ZeusGiant Porphyrion

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K8.10 Zeus & Birth of Athena

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

K8.11 Zeus & Birth of Athena

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

K8.12 Zeus & Birth of Athena

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

K8.14 Zeus & Birth of Athena

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

K8.13 Zeus & Birth of Athena

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

K17.2 ZeusHeraHorae

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

M10.1B Zeus & Typhoeus

Chalcidian Black Figure Painting C6th B.C.

T23.1 ZeusMaiaInfant Hermes

Caeretan Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

T6.1 CronusRheaOmphalos Stone

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K12.14 Zeus & Birth of Dionysus

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K12.27 Zeus & Birth of Dionysus

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K12.13 Zeus & Birth of Dionysus

Apulian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

T1.6 ZeusAthenaBirth Erichthonius

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K4.9 ZeusHeraErosAthena

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

L11.3 ZeusHeraIo as CowHermes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K10.1 ZeusAphroditeEros

Apulian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

O24.9 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O24.6 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O24.1 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K18.2 ZeusHera & Hebe

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O24.5 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O24.8 Zeus & Ganymede

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O24.7 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O24.4 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O26.1 Zeus & Nymph Aegina

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O26.2 Zeus & Nymph Aegina

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K1.12 Danae & Zeus as Shower of Gold

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K1.14 Danae & Zeus as Shower of Gold

Lucanian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

H18.1 Leda & Zeus as Swan

Apulian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

K1.8 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Apulian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

K1.10 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Paestan Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

K1.13 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

O2.1 ZeusAlcmena on Pyre

Paestan Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

K9.7 ZeusAresHeraclesCycnus

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

H2.4 ZeusAthenaHeracles

Athenian Black Figure Vase Painting C6th B.C.

P21.5 Zeus Served by Iris

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

K4.8 ZeusNikeHeraAthena

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

T8.2 ZeusThemisHermesAthena

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C4th B.C.

O24.2 Zeus & Ganymedes

Athenian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C.

Z1.7 Antiope & Zeus as Satyr

Greco-Roman Zeugma Floor Mosaic A.D.

Z1.6 Antiope & Zeus as Satyr

Greco-Roman Zeugma Floor Mosaic C2nd A.D.

Z1.4 Leda & Zeus as Swan

Greco-Roman Kouklia Floor Mosaic C3rd A.D.

F1.1 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Pompeii Wall Fresco C1st B.C.

Z1.5 Leda & Zeus as Swan

Greco-Roman Spain Floor Mosaic A.D.

Z1.2 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Sparta Mosaic A.D.

Z1.3 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Naxos Floor Mosaic A.D.

Z1.8 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Arles Floor Mosaic A.D.

Z50.1E Zeus as Thursday

Greco-Roman Orbe Floor Mosaic C3th A.D.

Z2.6 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Zeugma Floor Mosaic C2nd A.D.

Z1.1 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Antioch Mosaic C2nd A.D.

Z1.9 Europa & Zeus as Bull

Greco-Roman Stabia Mosaic C1st A.D.

S1.1 Zeus-Jupiter

Greco-Roman Marble Statue

S1.2 Zeus-Jupiter

Greco-Roman Marble Statue

S1.3 Zeus-Jupiter

Greco-Roman Marble Statue

SOURCES (ALL ZEUS PAGES)

GREEK

• HomerThe Iliad - Greek Epic C8th B.C.
• HomerThe Odyssey - Greek Epic C8th B.C.
• HesiodTheogony - Greek Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
• HesiodCatalogues of Women Fragments - Greek Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
• HesiodGreat Eoiae Fragments - Greek Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
• HesiodAstronomy Fragments - Greek Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
• The Homeric Hymns - Greek Epic C8th - 4th B.C.
• PindarOdes - Greek Lyric C5th B.C.
• PindarFragments - Greek Lyric C5th B.C.
• Greek Lyric I AlcmanFragments - Greek Lyric C7th B.C.
• AeschylusFragments - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
• HerodotusHistories - Greek History C5th B.C.
• PlatoRepublic - Greek Philosophy C4th B.C.
• PlatoTheages - Greek Philosophy C4th B.C.
• ApollodorusThe Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
• CallimachusHymns - Greek Poetry C3rd B.C.
• CallimachusFragments - Greek Poetry C3rd B.C.
• Diodorus SiculusThe Library of History - Greek History C1st B.C.
• StraboGeography - Greek Geography C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
• PausaniasDescription of Greece - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.
• The Orphic Hymns - Greek Hymns C3rd B.C. - C2nd A.D.
• Antoninus LiberalisMetamorphoses - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
• AelianOn Animals - Greek Natural History C2nd - 3rd A.D.
• AelianHistorical Miscellany - Greek Rhetoric C2nd - 3rd A.D.
• Philostratus the ElderImagines - Greek Rhetoric C3rd A.D.
• PhilostratusLife of Apollonius of Tyana - Greek Biography C2nd A.D.
• Ptolemy HephaestionNew History - Greek Mythography C1st - 2nd A.D.
• Quintus SmyrnaeusFall of Troy - Greek Epic C4th A.D.
• NonnusDionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th A.D.

ROMAN

• HyginusFabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.
• HyginusAstronomica - Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.
• OvidMetamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
• OvidFasti - Latin Poetry C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
• VirgilAeneid - Latin Epic C1st B.C.
• CiceroDe Natura Deorum - Latin Rhetoric C1st B.C.
• Pliny the ElderNatural History - Latin Encyclopedia C1st A.D.

BYZANTINE

• SuidasThe Suda - Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.

OTHER SOURCES

Other sources not quoted here: numerous.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.