==Introduction==
The gods in Greek mythology are very different from many modern ideas about religion. They were seen as great powers and not as spiritual or benign figures, as in the Monotheistic religion. Zeus became king of the Olympian Gods not because he was morally good or a creator god. Instead, he came to power in a cosmic war. He came to be the absolute ruler of the universe after overthrowing his father and by battling the Titans. Zeus became king the way that many other monarchs seized power, with brute force and cunning. There are many myths regarding how Zeus became the ruler of the world and they are known as ‘Succession Myths’. This article relates how he became ruler of Olympus and king of the gods and goddesses. There is no one version of how the ruler of Olympus became King of the Gods, it should be noted.
[[File: Titan one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Statue of Zeus]]
The gods in Greek mythology are very different from many modern ideas about religion. They were seen as great powers and not as spiritual or benign figures, as in the Monotheistic religion. Zeus became king of the Olympian Gods not because he was morally good or a creator god. Instead, he came to power in a cosmic war. He became the absolute ruler of the universe after overthrowing his father and by battling the Titans. Zeus became king the way that many other monarchs seized power, with brute force and cunning.
==Background to the rise of There are many myths regarding how Zeus==The first ruler of the gods was Uranus, the personification of became the sky. He was married to Gaia, the goddess of the earth. Uranus had twelve children with Gaia. The original ruler of the world hid his children inside their mother (earth), after a prophecy that his children would overthrow him. Gaia hated him for this. The children of the sky and the earth were they are known in the ancient sources as the Titans and the youngest of these was Cronus. He conspired with his mother to depose his father. Only he, among all the Titans, was brave enough to move against his father <ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 113</ref>‘Succession Myths. Gaia crafted a sickle for Cronus, and ’ This article relates how he sneaked upon his father and castrated him. Uranus was weakened and Cronus was able to imprison his father in Tartarus which is often mistakenly referred to as hell by many. Cronus imprisoned several monsters, the Hecatonchires and the Cyclopes with his father under the earth. He was regarded as the personification of time in the Classical sources. He along with his sister Rhea became the monarchs ruler of the gods. His reign was considered to be a Golden Age when men did not require laws and where everything was shared equally. However, Cronus heard a prophecy that was made by his father Uranus Olympus and his mother Gaia He was told that he too would be deposed by his son. Cronus was naturally threatened by this prophecy and he decided to remove all his children so that they could not threaten him. Now the king of the gods had six children with his queen who was also his half-sister. Rhea bore him three daughters Demeter, Hestia and Hera and three sons Hades, Zeus, and Poseidongoddesses. Zeus, There is no one version of how the future King ruler of Olympus was the youngest became King of the children. Mindful of the prophecy Cronus came up with a strategy to make sure that his children could never threaten or depose him. When they were born, he swallowed them all whole. When Rhea was pregnant with Zeus, he also intended to swallow him, so he would not be a threat<ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 480</ref>Gods. [[File: Titan two.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A seventeenth century painting of the Titans and the Olympians in battle]]
==The birth ==Background to the rise of Zeus====NaturallyThe first ruler of the gods was Uranus, Rhea the personification of the sky. He was enraged by thismarried to Gaia, but she came up the goddess of the earth. Uranus had twelve children with Gaia. The original ruler of the world hid his children inside their mother (earth), after a planprophecy that his children would overthrow him. She sought Gaia hated him for this. The children of the help sky and the earth were known in the ancient sources as the Titans and the youngest of these was Cronus. He conspired with his mother to depose his father. Only he, among all the Titans, was brave enough to move against his father.<ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 113</ref> Gaiacrafted a sickle for Cronus, who told her what to doand he sneaked upon his father and castrated him. When she Uranus was weakened and Cronus was about able to give birth to Zeus she secretly went imprison his father in Tartarus which is often mistakenly referred to as hell by many. Cronus imprisoned several monsters, the Hecatonchires and the Cyclopes with his father under the earth. He was regarded as the island personification of Cretetime in the Classical sources. Here she delivered He along with his sister Rhea became the future king monarchs of the Olympians in a cave in Mount Idagods. This His reign was considered to be a wellGolden Age when men did not require laws and where everything was shared equally. [[File: Titan two.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A seventeenth-known pilgrimage site century painting of the Titans and the Olympians in Ancient Greece battle]]However, Cronus heard a prophecy that was made by his father Uranus and can still his mother Gaia He was told that he too would be visited, to this daydeposed by his son. Now Cronus was aware that Zeus was born, naturally threatened by this prophecy and he demanded decided to remove all his children so that they could not threaten him. Now the infant be handed over to himking of the gods had six children with his queen who was also his half-sister. Rhea bore him three daughters Demeter, Hestia and Gaia had devised a clever strategy she found a huge stone Hera and wrapped it in swaddling clothes three sons Hades, Zeus, and they present this to Poseidon. Zeus, the Cronus and told him that this future King of Olympus was the infantyoungest of the children. Mindful of the prophecy Cronus came up with a strategy to make sure that his children could never threaten or depose him. When they were born, he swallowed the stone and them all whole. When Rhea was satisfied that pregnant with Zeus was no longer a threat. In reality, he grew up in Cretealso intended to swallow him, according to so he would not be a popular version of the myth by the 7th century BC poet Hesiodthreat.<ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 480</ref>. There is no agreement in the sources as to who raised the young God, in some sources it was a nymph and in others it was his grandmother Gaia. ====The birth of Zeus grew up to be a mighty god in Crete. ====
[[File: Titan three.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Mount Olympus]]
==Naturally, Rhea was enraged by Cronus and the Olympians==Zeus was desperate ' plan to overthrow his father and he was guided by his grandmother murder her child so she came up with a plan. She sought the help of Gaia, who told her what to do. Cronus did not know that When she was about to give birth to Zeus she secretly went to the island of Crete. Here she delivered the future king of the Olympians in a cave in Mount Ida. This was a well-known pilgrimage site in Ancient Greece and can still be visited, to this day. Now Cronus was aware that Zeus was born, and he demanded that the infant be handed over to him. Rhea and Gaia had devised a clever strategy she found a huge stone and wrapped it in swaddling clothes and they present this to the Cronus and told him that this was the infant. Cronus swallowed the stone and was satisfied that Zeus was no longer a threat. In reality, he grew up in Crete, according to a popular version of the myth by the 7th century BC poet Hesiod<ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 480</ref>. There is no agreement in the sources as to who raised the young God, in some sources it was a nymph and in others it was his grandmother Gaia. Zeus grew up to be a mighty god in Crete. ====Cronus and the Olympians====Zeus was desperate to overthrow his father and he was guided by his grandmother Gaia. Cronus did not know that his youngest sone with Rhea was still alive. In some myths, Zeus became the cupbearer of his father. His mother gave him a powerful potion and Zeus was able to give it to his father, secretly. Well, the potion acted as an enema and Cronus threw up his youngest sone with Rhea was still alivefive children whom he had swallowed. In some myths, Zeus became Immediately they rallied to the cupbearer cause of his fathertheir younger brother. His mother gave him a powerful potion and Zeus From this time on there was able going to give it to his fatherbe a war for control of the world<ref>Hesiod, secretly. WellTheogony, the potion acted as an enema 480-494</ref>. On one side was Cronus and Cronus threw up his five children whom he had swallowed. Immediately brother and sisters and they rallied to were known as the cause of their younger brotherTitans. From this time on there On the other side was going to be Zeus and his brothers and sister, known as the Olympians. They were at a war for control of disadvantage and were outnumbered by the world<ref>HesiodTitans. However, Theogony, 480Zeus was ever-494</ref>. On one side was Cronus resourceful and had the secret support of his brother mother and sisters and they were known as the Titansgrandmother. On Then he freed some of the other side was Zeus monsters and his brothers and sister, known as the Olympiansthe Cyclopes that had been imprisoned by Cronus many years before. They The Cyclopes were at a disadvantage grateful and were outnumbered by the Titansin return forge thunderbolts for Zeus. However, Zeus was ever-resourceful They also made a trident for Poseidon and had the secret support of his mother and grandmothera helmet for Hades. Then he freed some The future King of Olympus also released the monsters and the Cyclopes that had been imprisoned by Cronus many years before. Hecatonchires <ref>Graves, Robert, The Cyclopes were grateful and in return forge thunderbolts for ZeusGreek Myths (Hamondsworth, Penguin Books, 1960), p 136</ref>. They also made a trident for Poseidon Soon the Olympians were ready to take on the Titans and this result in a helmet for Hadeswar between the gods known as the Titanomachy. The future King best sources that we have for this myth are Hesiod, sadly several epics that were composed of Olympus also released the Hecatonchires <ref>Graves, Robertevents were lost. ====Battle of the Gods====Zeus began the war with his father, who was often portrayed as being increasingly old and feeble. The Greek Myths (Hamondsworthfuture ruler of Olympus was able to persuade the Titans, Penguin Books, 1960), p 136</ref>. Soon the Olympians were ready Prometheus and his mother to take on the Titans join him and this result in his sisters and brothers. Zeus had a war between the gods known as the Titanomachy. The best sources that we have for this myth are Hesioddefinite strategy, which was typical of him <ref> Homer, sadly several epics that were composed of the events were lostOdyssey. 3.374</ref>. ==Battle of He ordered the Gods==Zeus began Hecatonchires, who had a hundred hands each to bombard the war Titans with stones. Zeus then used his father, who was often portrayed as being increasingly old and feeblemighty bolts to strike the Titans. The future ruler Titans fought back fiercely under the leadership of Olympus was able to persuade the Titans, Prometheus Atlas. The war lasted for some ten years and the Olympians emerged triumphantly, and his mother they came to join him and his sisters and brotherscontrol the cosmos. Zeus had a definite strategyimprisoned all the Titans and Cronus in Tartarus. However, which was typical some of him <ref> Homer, Odysseythe Titans were allowed to escape this fate. 3.374</ref>. He ordered Zeus was now the Hecatonchires, who had a hundred hands each to bombard undisputed ruler of the Titans world and he ruled with stones. Zeus then used the support of his mighty bolts to strike brothers and sisters. In some accounts, it is recorded that he felt so secure in his power that he allowed the release of all the Titans. The Titans fought back fiercely under the leadership of Atlas. The war lasted for some ten years However, he was far from secure and the Olympians emerged triumphantly, he still had many struggles. This according to poets such as Homer and they came to control the cosmos. Zeus imprisoned Hesiod all took place before humans lived on earth. It should be noted that the Titans Titan Prometheus made humans and Cronus in Tartarus. Howevernot Zeus, some of the Titans were allowed to escape this fate. Zeus who was now the undisputed ruler of the world and he ruled with the support of his brothers and sisters. In some accountsnot a creator god <ref>Burkert, Walter Greek Religion, it is recorded that he felt so secure in his power that he allowed the release of all the Titans. However(Harvard, Harvard University Press, he was far from secure and he still had many struggles2000, section III). This according to poets such as Homer and Hesiod all took place before humans lived on earth. It should be noted that the Titan Prometheus ====The Titans revenge====However, Zeus like many other rulers had made humans and not Zeusmany enemies. In particular, he offended his wife, who was not the fiery and unforgiven Hera. The King of Olympus was a creator god <ref>Burkert, Walter Greek Religionphilanderer and he had many affairs and children with his mistresses. Naturally, (Harvardthis enraged Hera, Harvard University Press, 2000who was not a pleasant character in Greek mythology <ref>Hansen, section III)Randall, and William F. Hansen. ==The Titans revenge==HoweverHandbook of classical mythology (London, Zeus like many other rulers had made many enemies. In particularAbc-clio, he offended his wife2004), the fiery and unforgiven Herap. 167</ref>. The King of Olympus She was a philanderer and he had many affairs and greatly angered when Zeus made one of his illegitimate children with his mistresses, the ruler of Egypt. Naturally, this Hera was enraged Heraand, who was not a pleasant character in Greek mythology <ref>Hansenher fury, Randall, and William Fshe made a pact with the defeated Titans. Hansen. Handbook She plotted with them to drive Zeus out of Olympus and to restore Cronus as ruler of classical mythology (London, Abc-clio, 2004), pthe divine. 167</ref>. She was greatly angered when Zeus made one of his illegitimate children, The Titans once again under the leadership of Atlas decided to assassinate the ruler rule of EgyptOlympus as he was out hunting. Hera However, Zeus who was enraged known for his prophetic capabilities that he saw the danger and, in her fury, she made a pact with retreated to Olympus. The Titans were emboldened by the defeated Titans. She plotted with them support of Hera and they decided to drive attack Zeus out of Olympus and to restore Cronus as ruler of the divinehis family on Olympus. The Titans Olympians were once again under the leadership of Atlas decided to assassinate the rule of badly outnumbered and made Olympus their fortress. The Titans tried to climb Mount Olympus as he but Zeus was out hunting. Howeverhelped by Athena, Apollo, Zeus who was known for his prophetic capabilities that he saw the danger and retreated to OlympusArtemis. The Titans were emboldened by King of the support of Hera Gods hurled thunderbolts at the old gods and they decided to attack Zeus eventually, he and his family on Olympus. The the other Olympians were once again badly outnumbered and made Olympus their fortresscast the Titans down the mountain <ref>Graves, p 115</ref>. The Titans tried Then they forced them into Tartarus where they remain to climb Mount Olympus but Zeus was helped by Athena, Apollo, and Artemisthis day. The King It seemed that the king of the Gods hurled thunderbolts at the old gods and eventuallyOlympians hated Atlas, in particular, he and this is why according to legend he was punished by being forced to hold up the other Olympians cast the Titans down the mountain <ref>Gravessky (at least in some accounts). This was, p 115</ref>at least in some of the myths as the final victory of Zeus. Then they forced He and his two brothers divided the world between them into Tartarus where they remain to this day. It seemed that Zeus was made the king Lord of the Olympians hated Atlas, in particular, earth and this is why according to legend he was punished by being forced to hold up the sky (at least in some accounts). This . Poseidon was, at least in some bestowed with control of the myths as seas and all the final victory of Zeus. He waters. Hades was given the underworld and his two brothers divided the world between them. Zeus was made the Lord realm of the earth and dead. All the skyother gods were given particular powers following their nature. Poseidon The earth was bestowed with control not the preserve of the seas and all the watersany one god and it was a common or neutral ground. However, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades was given reserved the underworld and right to intervene on earth if they were summoned. It was also at this time that Zeus made Olympus the realm home of the dead. All the other gods were given particular powers following their nature<ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 480</ref>. The earth was not ====Zeus and Typhoon====In some myths, the preserve final defeat of any one god and it the Titans was a common or neutral groundthe end of Zeus ascent to the position of absolute ruler of the world. However, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades reserved he was to face one more challenge in the right to intervene on earth if they were summonedform of a huge monster. It Typhoon was also at this time that Zeus made Olympus the home son of Hades and Gaia, the goddess of the gods<ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 480</ref>. ==earth. She was deeply angered by Zeus and Typhoon==In some myths, the final defeat his treatment of the Titans was the end of Zeus ascent , who were her children, after all. She decided to the position of absolute ruler of the world. Howeverturn her monstrous son Typhoon against him, he was according to face one more challenge the didactic poet Hesiod in the form of a huge monsterhis Theogony <ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 490</ref>. Typhoon was He is often seen as the son personification of Hades and Gaia, the goddess of the earthvolcanic forces in Greek mythology. She Typhoon who was deeply angered by Zeus and his treatment a serpent-like monster, who had countless heads which could spit poison challenged Zeus for the rule of the Titans, who were her children, after allworld. She decided to turn her monstrous son Typhoon against him, according to Hesiod describes the world and the heavens being shaken by the didactic poet Hesiod in his Theogony <ref>Hesiod, Theogony, 490</ref>battle between the two. He Zeus is often seen portrayed as throwing his thunder and lightning bolts at the personification of the volcanic forces in Greek mythology. huge serpent and Typhoon who was a serpent-like monster, who had countless heads which could spit poison challenged Zeus for spat poison and shot flames at the rule ruler of the worldOlympus. Hesiod describes In one account the world and other gods were so afraid of Typhoon that they transformed themselves into animals to hide from his wrath. However, all the heavens being shaken by myths agree that Zeus overcame the creature known as the battle between enemy of the twogods. Zeus is portrayed as throwing his thunder and lightning bolts at In most of the sources, the huge serpent and Typhoon spat poison and shot flames at the ruler King of Olympus. In one account the other gods were so afraid of Typhoon that they transformed themselves Gods cast the huge serpentine monster into animals to hide from Tartarus with his wrathother enemies. However, all the myths agree other stories state that Zeus overcame entombed him under Mount Vesuvius and that the creature known as flames that occasionally shot from the enemy of the godsvolcano are from Typhoon <ref>Graves, p. 113</ref>. In most of the sources, the King of the Gods cast the huge serpentine monster into Tartarus with his other enemies. However, other stories state that Zeus entombed him under Mount Vesuvius and that the flames that occasionally shot from the volcano are from Typhoon <ref>Graves, p. 113</ref>. ====Conclusion==Conclusion==
Zeus became King of the Gods and the absolute ruler of the world by brute force and strategy. He was very cunning and used his ability to see what the future held to become the foremost Olympian. The Succession Myths demonstrate that Zeus was the monarch of the heavens and the earth because he was the most powerful. The Greeks like other peoples, such as the Babylonians conceived of their gods as powerful entities and not spiritual beings. They respected them because of their power and goodness. Zeus in the series of ‘Succession Myths’ was ruthless when it came to the seize of power. However, he arguably did not have any choice. He rose to power, by waging a war against the older gods, the Titans and defending it against them and the monster Typhoon. These myths are similar to other myths around the world, which focus on the rise to supremacy of a ruler-god.
====Further Reading====
Felson, Nancy. "Children of Zeus in the Homeric hymns: Generational succession." The Homeric hymns: Interpretative essays (2011): 254-279.
Davidson, John. "Zeus and the stone substitute." Hermes 123, no. H. 3 (1995): 363-369.
====References====
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[[Category:Myths and Gods]]
