The youngest son of the Titans Kronos and Rhea, he was hidden by his mother when Kronos learned of the prophecy that one of his sons would supplant him as ruler of the world. When fully grown, Zeus forced his father to regurgitate his other children that he had swallowed, and then Zeus led a revolt against the Titans, who were banished to Tartarus, below even the underworld. Zeus and his two brothers drew lots to decide each god’s part of the world. Zeus drew the heavens, and supreme rule over all the gods and humankind.
Zeus was always considered a weather god, with lightning, thunder, rain, and thunderstorms attributed to him. Later he became associated with justice and the law. He could shape-shift, taking the shape of any object or living thing, and he used this ability in his seductions. Although he took his sister Hera as his wife, he seduced many other goddesses and mortal women, siring many children who became prominent in Greek mythology. There were many statues erected in Zeus’ honor, the most magnificent being the colossal statue of Zeus at Olympia, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Olympic Games were held originally in his honor.
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