Zeus

Indo-European

Greek - ZEUS

Old Indic - DEVAH

Latin - DEUS

Germanic - TEUS

Aigioxios“Aegis-Bearing”

• Come try it gods – then all of you will know. Hang a gold cord down from heaven, and all you gods and goddesses take hold of it. But you could not pull Zeus, the counsellor most high, down from heaven to the ground, however long and hard you laboured. But whatever I had a mind to pull in earnest, I could haul you up, earth and sea and all – then I could hitch the cord round a peak of Olympos, so that everything was then left hanging in mid-air. That is how superior I am to gods and men.’

Iliad, Book 8

Zeus ‘Eleutherios’

= Zeus the Liberator

Thanks to Zeus we are victorious and thanks to Terror and thanks to Heracles and thanks to Apollo and thanks to Poseidon and thanks to the Tyndaridai and thanks to Athena and thanks to Malophoros and thanks to the All Vanquishing and thanks to other gods, but thanks to Zeus most of all.

5th century B.C. Inscription

• “ Why hurry Hera? That is a journey [going to visit Oceanus and Tethys] you can make tomorrow. Now – come, let’s go to bed, let’s lose ourselves in love! Never has such a lust for goddess or mortal woman flooded my pounding heart and overwhelmed me so. Not even then, when I made love to Ixion’s wife who bore me Pirithous, rival to all the gods in wisdom…. Not when I loved Acrisius’ daughter Danae-marvelous ankles-and Perseus sprang to life and excelled all men alive… not when I stormed Europa, far-famed Phoenix’ daughter who bore me Minos and Rhadamanthus grand as gods…. Not even Semele, not even Alcmena queen of Thebes who bore me a son, that lionheart, that Heracles, and Semele bore Dionysus, ecstasy, joy to mankind-not when I loved Demeter, queen of the lustrous braids;not when I bedded Leto ripe for glory-not even you!! That was nothing to how I hunger for you now-irresistible longing lays me low!”

Iliad, Book 14

Zeus and Ganymedes

Flaxen-haired Ganymede was seized by resourceful Zeus because of his beauty, so that he should be among the immortals and serve drink to the gods in Zeus’ house, a wonder to see esteemed by all the immortals as he draws the red nectar from the golden bowl. As for Tros, nagging grief possessed his heart; he did not know which way the miraculous whirlwind had snatched up his dear son, and he went on lamenting him day after day. Zeus took pity on him, and to compensate for his son he gave him prancing horses, of the breed that carry the immortals: those he gave him to keep, and on Zeus’ instructions the go-between, the Argus-slayer Hermes explained everything, how Ganymede was immortal and unaging just like the gods. When he heard Zeus’ message, he stopped lamenting, and was glad in his heart, and in gladness he took to riding with the storm-footed horses.

Hymn to Aphrodite lines 202ff.

Zeus and Danae

M&L pp.547-8

Zeus and Europa

• He is white as the untrampled snow before the south wind turns it into slush. The muscles stand out bulging on his neck, and the dewlap dangles on his ample chest; his horns are crooked, but appear handmade, and flawless as a pair of matching gems. His brow is quite unthreatening, his eye excites no terror, and his countenance is calm. The daughter of King Agenor admires him, astonished by the presence of peacefulness and beauty in the beast; yet even though he seems a gentle creature, at first she fears to get too close to him, but soon approaching, reaches out her hand and pushes flowers into his white mouth. The lover, quite beside himself, rejoices, and as a preview of delights to come, kisses her fingers, getting so excited that he can scarcely keep from doing it!

Ovid, Metamorphoses pp.85-7See also M&L pp.401-3.

Zeus and Io

• Her rival given up to her at last Juno feared Jove had more such tricks in mind, and couldn’t feel entirely secure until she’d placed this heifer in the care of Argus, the watchman with a hundred eyes: in strict rotation his eyes slept in pairs, while those that were not sleeping stayed on guard. No matter where he stood, he looked at Io, even when he had turned his back on her.

Ovid, Metamorphoses pp.38-43

See M&L pp.95-98

Sarpedon - Zeus’ Son

• Sarpedon leapt from his chariot fully armed and hit the ground and Patroclus straight across, as soon as he saw him, leapt from his car too. As a pair of crook-clawed, hook-beaked vultures swoop to fight, screaming above some jagged rock-so with their battle cries they rushed each other there. And Zeus the son of Cronus with Cronus’ twisting ways, filling with pity now to see the two great fighters said to Hera, his sister and his wife, “my cruel fate… my Sarpedon, the man I love the most, my own son-doomed to die at the hands of Menoetius’ son Patroclus. My heart is torn in two as I try to weigh all this. Shall I pluck him up, now, while he’s still alive and set him down in the rich green land of Lycia, far from the war at Troy and all its tears? Or beat him down at Patroclus’ hand at last?”

Iliad, Book 16

Zeus of Justice

• Of Zeus I will make my song, of the best and greatest of gods, The far-seeing sovereign from whom fulfilment comes. It is he Who to Themis murmurs wise words while inclining towards him she sits. Be gracious, Kronos’ greatest, most glorious, far-seeing son.

Homeric Hymn 23

Zeus of Victory

• Mother of the gold-crowned Games, Olympia, queen of truth, Where diviners interpret burnt offerings and test the bright thunderer Zeus If he has any word about men, who long in their hearts to win great glory And a respite after toil. In return for reverence, men’s prayers are fulfilled. O shady sanctuary of Pisa, by the wooded banks of Alpheios, Welcome this company and wearing of garlands. Great is his glory forever Whom your glittering prize rewards. To each man come different goods, and many are the paths of success, When the gods lend aid. And Alkimedon by Kronion, Zeus made an Olympian conquerer. He was lovely to see, and his deeds Did not dishonour his beauty, When he won in the wrestling and proclaimed his fatherland, long-oared Aigina. There Saviour Themis is honoured, At the side of Zeus, the stranger’s god.

Pindar, Olympian Ode 8