Zeus

Zeus' father, Cronos (or Kronos), had been told that one of his children would overthrow him. So, when Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia were born, he ate them.

When Rhea gave birth to Zeus, she hid him from Cronos on the island of Crete, where he was raised by nymphs. Rhea wrapped a stone in a blanket, deceiving Cronos as he ate what he believed to be his sixth child.

When Zeus was older, he rescued his siblings by disguising himself as an olympian cupbearer and gave Cronos a special potion. When his father drank the potion, he vomited up his five children.

Rules over:

• Skies
• Thunder
• Lightning
• Hospitality
• Honour
• Kingship
• Order

Symbols:

• Thunderbolt
• Aegis
• Scales
• Oak tree
• Royal scepter

Animals:

• Eagle
• Wolf
• Woodpecker

Zeus has a short temper but was fair, wise, and just. Hesiod described him as a God who “brought peace in place of violence” and called him the lord of justice.

Zeus could shapeshift and imitate the voice of any God or mortal. He was promiscuous and had many wives and lovers.

Hesiod wrote that, like his father, Zeus was warned that his child with his first wife, Metis, would grow to be a threat to him. Hoping to change his fate, Zeus swallowed his pregnant wife. The child, Athena, was born out of Zeus’ forehead.

Athena. Goddess of Wisdom, grew to become Zeus’ favourite child.