World Book Encyclopedia.
Zeus, pronounced zoos, was the ruler of the gods in Greek mythology.
Zeus was a sky and weather god, especially associated with rain,
thunder, and lightning. The Greeks believed he was all-knowing and all-
seeing. The Greeks considered Zeus a father figure and a protector,
especially of guests and strangers. The Roman god Jupiter was
equivalent to Zeus (see JUPITER).
Zeus was the son of Cronus and Rhea, members of an earlier race of
ruling gods called the Titans. Zeus and the other children of Cronus
defeated the Titans. Zeus then took Cronus' place and ruled from his
home on Mount Olympus. He headed a family of 12 major gods and
goddesses called the Olympians. Some lesser gods also lived on
Olympus. Zeus's brothers were the gods Hades and Poseidon. Hades ruled
the underworld, and Poseidon ruled the seas. The goddesses Demeter,
Hera, and Hestia were Zeus's sisters.
At the time Zeus was introduced in Greece, the religion of that area
was based on fertility. Each community had a major fertility goddess
and a male god associated with her. Zeus eventually took the place of
many of these male gods, and became the husband or lover of the
goddesses. Later, Hera became Zeus's wife, and other goddesses took a
lesser status.
Zeus had many love affairs with goddesses and mortal women and
fathered many children. His children included the goddess Aphrodite;
the gods Apollo, Dionysus, and Hermes; and the mortal heroes Perseus
and Heracles (Hercules in Latin). Zeus alone gave birth to the goddess
Athena.
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