Why Is Zeus A Prominent Force In Greek Mythology

Zeus As A Dominating Force In Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology Zeus has the most prominent name among all the gods and goddesses. This is because he is most powerful and formidable of all deities. From the beginning, Legend has it established his power since he overthrown his father to become the leader of the Greek gods and goddesses. Zeus was also notorious for his numerous affairs with woman and the countless children produce from these Affairs. In Greek literature he, he was shown to be fierce, vengeful, and pitiful of Mortals. However, the authority of Zeus is not absolute or unlimited. He is prone to deceit and trickery.

Zeus is both a powerful God and a flawed revered entity, which makes him one of the most interesting personalities

in Greek mythology. Before the life of Zeus can be discussed, it is important to discuss the origins of Greek mythology. This is because the origin of Zeus can only be understood from the context of the beginnings of greek mythology. According to Hesiod, prior to the existence of all things, there was initially Chaos (Rose. 1991). The existence of Chaos was considered the beginning of all things, as it was the existence from which other beings were derived.
Chaos gave birth to other beings. These were Night, Darkness (also known as Erebos). Love (alsb referred to as Eros), Tartaros and Earth. Night and Darkness were responsible for the creation of Day and Sky (also called Aither). Meanwhile, Earth created the Sea (or Pontos), the Mountains and Heaven on its own (Rose. 1991). The account of Hesiod continued with the union of Heaven and Earth (Rose, 1991). Heaven, that which is also referred to as Uranos, is not really considered a god. On the contrary, Earth (sometimes called Gaia) is truly considered as a goddess.

It was said that this is unlikely couple produced several offspring. These were "Okeanos and his eddies, Koios and Krios, Hyperion and lapetos, Theia and Rhea. Themis and Mnemosyne, Phoibe and Tethys" (Rose, 1991, p 15). Kronos was the last offspring. He was the most frightful of all children. for he harbored hatred towards his father Eventually, the family was torn apart by conflict. Heaven became overwhelmed by jealousy towards his children that he forced them a into Earth's body. When Earth could no longer deal with the suffering, she asked her children to punish their father for revenge.

Only Kronos answered his mother's ca with a sickle, he castrated his father (Rose, 1991). Collectively, the children of Heaven and Earth are called the Titans (Rose, 1991). The Titans are also known as the Elder Gods (Hamilton, 1969). Among the Titans, six composed a different group (Rose, 1991). These include lapetos, Okeanos, Kronos and their respective wives, Themis, Tethys and Rhea. The most significant couple in this group is Kronos and Rhea, as they were the parents of Zeus According to legend, Heaven and Earth predicted that one of Kronos children would unseat him from power.

Kronos was alarmed by the warning; as a result, he swallowed each of his children the moment they were born. Rhea disapproved of Kronos' actions, so when she gave birth to her youngest, Zeus, she decided to hide him from his father Rather than give the child, Rhea handed to Kronos a rock clothed like a newborn infant. The prediction of Heaven and Earth came true; when Zeus grew up, he became opposed to his father. While Rhea plotted to trick Kronos into throwing up his children. Zeus came to Tartaros to set free Kronos brethren who were jailed there.