of the number of the gods by the ancient Greeks can not be compared with any of the people on our planet.Residents of Greece at almost every turn guided by the advice of some deity.However, the most important among them was Zeus.Who is this character of Greek mythology?It is the god of thunder and lightning, as well as the ruler of the world.
What was Zeus, according to ancient myths?
chief of all the gods was regarded as the third son of Rhea and Kronos titanium (Homer described him as the eldest son).In addition, he was the brother of Demeter, Aida, Poseidon, Hestia and Hera.The attributes of the main deity is a double ax (Labrys) and a shield.Sometimes near Zeus depicted an eagle.A resident of Thunder was considered Olympus.
What identified a god of thunder and lightning?
So Zeus.Who is the omnipotent ruler of the world?It was believed that he is able to spread the good and evil in all the land.In some myths associated with its fate itself.In some legends, the chief god of Olympus, on the contrary, acts as a being who is at the mercy of fate.Mythology gives Zeus the ability to foresee the future.In this manifest destiny, he proclaims by lightning, thunder, and dreams.
The ancient Greeks believed that the construction of public order - is the direct merit of Zeus.It was he who, in their opinion, given the laws of the people and the power of kings.It was believed that the main deity watches that consistently adhered to all the customs and traditions of the people, and save the house and family.
Birth
Zeus - who is the chief god?This is the third generation of deities that toppled his predecessors.
Post chief deity Zeus was given not so simple.His father, a cunning and crafty Kronos, the most afraid of what over the world take away his own children.He decided to destroy them.To do this, Kronos became swallow their offspring alive.When it was the turn of Zeus, Rhea hid her son on the island of Crete in one of the deepest caves.When she gave it to her husband wrapped diapers stone that he had swallowed, taking the baby.Only then Kronos calmed down, believing that no one else could threaten his throne.
Childhood
Meanwhile vremnem in a cave in Crete quietly hid Zeus grew up.The mythology of ancient Greece devotes a large role in his upbringing goat Amalthea and the nymph Melissa.The first feeding the divine child with her milk.Cornucopia goats gave Zeus everything you need.Enormous care of the baby and showed nymph Melissa.It provided him with all what he might need.I give him a nymph and nutritious honey, facilitating rapid growth.According to tradition, the faithful guards guarding the cave, which was the offspring of the divine.When the baby cried loudly knocking on their shields spears to Kronos heard nothing.
Clash of the Titans
Years passed.Zeus grew up and matured.In the end, events unfolded exactly as promised Cronus.Son overthrew the cruel father forced him to return all of the swallowed children for life.Six of them won a victory over tyranny.
most powerful Zeus began to reign in heaven.His brother went to Hades the underworld and Poseidon - seas.At the same time, they decided that will rule the earth together.
kingdom of the gods
Olympus and Zeus in the mythology of ancient Greece - are indivisible.This high mountain powerful ruler to decide the destinies of people and all life on earth, being surrounded by unquestioningly obey Him other gods.
Gates of Olympus were closed with thick lush cloud.Beside him were the goddess of mountains.Their job was to clean up the cloud, letting the golden chariot.
kingdom of Zeus, characterized in that it is constantly reigned tender and warm summers.On the ground, on the contrary, thunderstorms and heavy rain were quite frequent.People thought that the god Zeus Greek angry at them for some reason.Therefore, as a punishment sends the lightning and thunder.No wonder the ancient Greek myths and legends of the chief ruler of Mount Olympus and called tuchegonitel Thunderer.
Zeus at Olympia lived in a luxurious palace, the gates of which were certainly two vessels.In one of them were gifts of Good, and the other - evil.At times, Zeus drew the contents of the vessel, sending it to the people.
special place ancient Greek myths withdrawn Moira.Despite the omnipotence of Zeus, these three goddesses of fate and determined men and gods.
The period of Ancient Greek Mythology Zeus calls the father of gods and men.However, she says, and that his power over the gods of Olympus is weak and often fatal path unknown to him.On the advice of Uranus and Gaea, Heaven, Earth, Zeus swallowed Metis - his first wife.He thus avoided the birth of his son, who was to become stronger father.
daughter Gaia, Themis, Zeus discovered a secret: at Thetis born exactly the same son.Then the master of all the gods refused to marry her, and gave the hero of the goddess Pele.
And the second wife of Zeus became Themis - a goddess of justice.Their daughters are Ora.Thanks to them in the life of the people and the gods there is an order and measured.
third lawful wife of Zeus is Hera.But in fact this is the goddess who protects marriage ties, became the first wife of their value.
Board Zeus significantly changing the world all the Olympians.Due to the chief deity of the daughters Eurynome - Harith - is brought to life the elegance, joy and fun.From Mnemosyne (goddess of memory) is born from Zeus nine Muses.This fact determines that the thunder in Greek mythology called the source inspiring the ministers of science and art.
So gradually Zeus transforms the world.It generates the gods, who brings to life the people law and order, morality and science, art and so on. D.
value of Zeus in mythology of Ancient Greece is enormous.The main Olympic deity in the extant texts identified with the patron saint of the city life and the community of people, and also acts as a defender offended.
Olympics
Answering the question: "Zeus - Who are you?", It is impossible not to mention the Olympic Games.After all, he is the founder of this spectacle, he lit the first Olympic torch, and it is in his honor, from 776 BC began to be competitions in which Greek men demonstrated their strength, agility and beauty.The value of these games for people was so great that for the period of their stop the war.City-states, which participated in the fighting, concluded a temporary truce.
