Who was Zeus?
In short: Zeus is the supreme god of Greek mythology — ruler of Olympus and god of the sky, lightning and order. As the youngest son of the Titans Kronos and Rhea, he overthrew his father and became king of the gods.
Profile
- Role: King of the gods, ruler of Olympus
- Domain: Sky, lightning and thunder, law and order
- Symbols: Thunderbolt, eagle, oak, sceptre
- Parents: Kronos and Rhea
- Siblings: Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, Hestia
- Notable children: Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hermes, Dionysus, Persephone
5 facts about Zeus
- Zeus was the youngest child of Kronos and Rhea — and the only one his father did not swallow, because Rhea gave him a stone instead.
- Together with his siblings he overthrew the Titans in a ten-year war, the Titanomachy.
- His weapon, the thunderbolt, was forged for him by the Cyclopes.
- Zeus divided the world with his brothers: he took the sky, Poseidon the sea, Hades the underworld.
- Few family trees in mythology branch as widely as his — countless gods and heroes trace back to Zeus.
Origins and rise to power
Zeus grew up hidden on the island of Crete while his father Kronos, fearing a prophecy, swallowed his siblings. Once grown, Zeus freed his brothers and sisters and led them against the Titans. After the victory he became ruler over gods and mortals.
As god of the sky, Zeus also stood for justice, hospitality and the sworn oath — values held sacred in the ancient world.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the parents of Zeus?
Zeus was the son of the Titans Kronos and Rhea, and thus a grandson of the primordial deities Gaia and Uranus.
Who was the wife of Zeus?
His chief consort was his sister Hera, goddess of marriage. Zeus also had many other unions from which numerous gods and heroes descended.
What was Zeus the god of?
Zeus ruled the sky and the weather, especially lightning and thunder, and was seen as the guardian of law and order.
More from Greek mythology
Zeus sits at the heart of a vast family tree of gods. Open the example tree to explore his parents, siblings and children generation by generation.