1 Zeus: God of Olympus

Before the birth of Zeus, there were already several myths in existence. However, they were not as prominent as Zeus.

In Ancient Greek Mythology, Zeus is known as the supreme deity. He reigns over the Olympus and is considered the ruler and protector of all beings. He is a very imposing figure and often regarded as the 'Father of gods and men.'

He possesses quite a lot of powers. The most famous of them all was the ability to summon lightning and thunder. He also has super human agility and strength.

But what is the background of this impressive character?

Story Of Zeus

Cronus (or Kronus) was the ruler and King of the Titans. He ruled over the cosmos and the period of his rule was known as 'Golden Age of Man.' He was the son of Uranus and Gaea. He became the ruler of the realm after deposing his father, Uranus.

Uranus was the father and founder of the Titans and Giants. It is also believed that Aphrodite, the goddess of sexual love and desires was born of the mixture of blood and sea form that hung around the severed member of Uranus when Cronus slew him.

Likewise, Cronus would also suffer the same fate as his father. A prophecy foresaw that one of sons of Cronus would become more powerful than his father and would dethrone him.

The revelation made Cronus panic and to avoid such fate from coming to pass, he devoured all his sons immediately after birth.

Cronus had a wife, Rhea. Before Zeus was conceived, Rhea already gave birth to five children: Demeter, Hera, Hestia, Hades and Poseidon. Hades and Poseidon were sons and they ended up in Cronus's stomach.

Zeus was conceived afterwards. However, Rhea didn't want him to face the same fate as his brothers, so, she seeked help from her parents on how to protect the unborn child.

Following the advice she received from her parents, Rhea traveled to a remote land known as Crete and secretly gave birth to Zeus in  cave on Mount. Dicte. Then, she entrusted him to Amalthea to secretly raise and nourish him.

She then journeyed back home and swaddled a stone wrapped in long, narrow strips of cloth. Then, she presented the stone which was in form a child to Cronus.

Habits do die hard!

Cronus was already used to swallowing his sons, so, he didn't suspect a thing and immediately devoured the stone.

The tragedy that should have befell Zeus was thereby abolished.

Zeus grew up in the cave of Mount Dicte with his adoptive mother, Amaltheia. She suckled him with good milk and nourishing honey to enable him grow rapidly.

After Zeus grew up and came of age, he left Mount Dicte and  journeyed to his fatherland, Cosmos. He then became Cronus's cupbearer. But, his real identity was not discovered.

He laid low using his fake identity and worked for his father.

Then, he came across a young woman named Metis, who would later become his first wife. With her help, he was able to poison his father which caused Cronus to throw up all the children in his stomach.

After his brothers (Hades and Poseidon) were freed, Zeus convinced them to rebel against Cronus. With their help, he also gathered more people to support his cause. Including Gaea's other children.

The plot resulted in a great war between the Titans and the gods. The war became known as Titanomachy. The war lasted for years and with the help of the gods, Zeus defeated his father and the Titan army. Then, he seized Mount Othrys which was his deposed father's place of dwelling. Then, he reestablished it and named it Olympus.

After the war ended and the Olympians won. Zeus did a through clean up of the Titans. However, he freed two Titans (Prometheus and Themis) who had assisted him during the war.

Zeus took over his father's throne as the king of the sky and ruler of the gods and mortals. He then shared the universe with his brothers, Hades and Poseidon. Hades was assigned to rule over the underworld while Poseidon took over the seas.

For years, Zeus continued to rule Olympus. He was deemed with great respect and reverence. However, before that, he had to consolidate his power and reign order in his subjects.

One of such events was when he faced off with the giants and defeated their leader, Porphyrion. Another was his fight with tyhon, a greasly monster. At first, he was defeated but later on, he was able to defeat the monster and avenged himself.

To be continued…