ZEUS

From Philosopedia

Zeus from Artemision, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens - bronze, circa 460 - 450 B.C.E., 2.09 m (6' 10.5") high, 2.10 m (6' 10.75") fingertip to fingertip. Found in the sea near cape Artemisio

Hera, Zeus's sister as well as his wife, was Queen of Olympians

The mythical son of Cronus and Rhea (of the first generation of Titans, divine descendants of Gaia), Zeus (Jupiter) was fated to dethrone his father much as Cronus had overthrown his father Oranos ("Sky").

Zeus divided his domain with his brothers, Poseidon (Neptune) and Hades/Pluto (Dis Pater, Orcus).

As ruler of the gods, Zeus led them in victory against the Titans.

Dwelling atop Mt. Olympus, he dispensed justice and served as protector or all.

Unlike the Judeo-Christian God, Zeus enjoyed wine, women, song, even men. He was bisexual (Ganymede), married his sister (Hera), and according to The Iliad was the father of Aphrodite (by Dione).

Known for his amorousness, he also fathered Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Persephone (by Demeter), Dionysus, Perseus, Heracles, Helen, Minos, and the Muses (by Mnemosyne). By Hera, he is said to have fathered Ares, Hebe, and Hephaestus.

(See entry for God and for Hera, an entry that includes a family tree of the gods. . . . In Who's Who in Hell, the author - a roué and sybarite - suggested that Hispanic fathers, instead of naming their sons Jesús, could name their children Zeus, then beckon them, “Hey, Zeus!”).