Zeus
by CTCWeb Editors
The Ruler of the Universe
Zeus has the power to do anything he chooses, he rules the Greek universe. Certain powers are attributed strictly to Zeus who wields them as he sees fit. Below is a list of his “powers” or realms in which he is master. Students should investigate each aspect of the personality of Zeus and his powers. A break down of well-known and not so well-known powers appears below. Each time a class looks at the powers of Zeus, this list should be expanded with new powers, lesser known and all.
Ultimate power and wisdom
Antiphon, Speech 6, 6.45 - Antiphon describes the shrine of Zeus the Councilor that stands in the Council-chamber.
Hesiod Theogony 550, 614 - It is not possible to out wit Zeus because his “wisdom is everlasting.”
Hesiod Theogony 469 - Father of gods and men.
Homer Iliad 4.238, 8.144 - Mightier far than men and can do all things.
Homeric Hymn 2: To Demeter, line 322 - Demeter calls upon Zeus for help and refers to him as “father Zeus, whose wisdom is everlasting.”
Hesiod Theogony 48 - Zeus Most excellent among the gods and supreme in power.
Homer Iliad 1.535 - All the gods rise from their seats before Zeus arrives.
Homer Iliad 2.115 - His power is above all.
Homer Odyssey 5.99 - It is in no wise for any other god to go against the will of Zeus.
Strabo, The Geography, 10.3.11- Strabo tells of dancers who act out the birth of Zeus and his hiding in armor.
Robs of Men of their Wits
Hesiod Shield of Herakles 89.
Homer Iliad 9.378.
Homer Iliad 15.275.
Homer Iliad 19.139.
Encyclopedia, Zeus - Zeus is able to transform himself and others into various animals.
Apollodorus 1.45.1 - Zeus stopped sun from shining so that he could defeat the Titans.
Aristophanes, Clouds line 365, Note 1 - Zeus was known as the weather god who exacted revenge using storms and thunder to punish humans and to control other deities.
Herodotus History 2.146.2 - Zeus is able to give birth to children without the mother. In this passage he sews Dionysos into his thigh for the remainder of the gestation period.
Hesiod Theogony 924 - Athena springs from his head fully armed.
Hesiod Theogony 730 - Zeus battles with the Titans whom a god cannot kill but wins using his wits and Herakles.
Homer Iliad 2.5 - Zeus rules men’s dreams.
Efforts to Maintain Power
Apollodorus 2.19 - Zeus wants to keep men from learning the art of healing so he strikes Aesculapius with a thunderbolt to prevent him from teaching them the art.
Hesiod Theogony 520-562 - Prometheus attempts to out smart Zeus by tricking his into believing that fat and thing bone is the sacrificial meat. Because of this Zeus will not give fire to the Melians so Prometheus steals it. For this reason Zeus made an evil thing for men, woman.
Homer Iliad 6.528 - Zeus will decides who wins the war. Homer Iliad 11.319 Zeus can give victory to the Trojans. Homer Iliad 12.404 - Zeus warded off the fates from his own son that he should not be laid low at the ships’ stern Homer Iliad 16.250 - Zeus granted part of Achilles pray, that Patroclus should fight well against the Trojans. The other part he denied, that he should return safe from out the battle. Homer Iliad 16.689 - “But ever is the intent of Zeus stronger than that of men, for he driveth even a valiant man in rout, and robbeth him of victory.”
Homer Odyssey 1.349 - Zeus gives to each man the fate that he will.
God of Hospitality and Suppliants
Antiphon, Speech 1, 1,16 - Antiphon notes that Philoneos sacrificed to Zeus Ctesius, the version of Zeus that protects the household.
Herodotus 1.44.2 - Croesus calls upon Zeus the Purifier, Zeus of the Hearth, Zeus of Comrades “because he wanted the god to know what evil his guest had done him; the second, because he had received the guest into his house and thus unwittingly entertained the murderer of his son.”
Homer Odyssey 9.270 - Zeus is “the avenger of suppliants and strangers—Zeus, the strangers’ god—who ever attends upon reverend strangers.” Homer Odyssey 14.58 for from Zeus are all strangers and beggars, and a gift Homer Odyssey 14.284 “Zeus, the stranger’s god, who above all others hath indignation at evil deeds.”
Homer Iliad 1.395 - Thetis is credited with saving Zeus from the other gods who wished to bind him and take control.
Homer Iliad 14.235 - Hera seduces Zeus. With the help of Ate, Zeus sleeps and Hera is able to change the course of war.
Homer Iliad 21.400 - The aegis against which “not even Zeus can prevail.”
