We never talk about Zeus

[TheLightWithin]

Zeus: King of the Greek Gods, Thunder, and Divine Power

Zeus, ruler of Olympus—his rise against the Titans, symbols of power, epic loves, and legacy across myth and history.

www.historyandmyths.com

The Duality of Zeus: Benevolent Ruler or Vengeful God? - Greek Mythology

The Duality of Zeus: Benevolent Ruler or Vengeful God? The Duality of Zeus: Benevolent Ruler or Vengeful God? I. Introduction Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, stands as one of the most significant figures in ancient lore. Revered as the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder, he...

greek.mythologyworldwide.com

How many of the characteristics of Zeus as described in the 2nd article above are consistent with characteristics we think belong to G-d? How many are different?

Zeus being the son of Cronus - and upon looking this up was reminded that Cronus is distinct from Chronos... but then looking that up it seems Cronus and Chronos may not have been distinct Chronos - Wikipedia identifies them as different, but later in the article implies something different.

This is an area I have explored less well, and wonder what others here think or know about the Greek or Roman gods.

 

[JustGeorge]

Zeus: King of the Greek Gods, Thunder, and Divine Power

Zeus, ruler of Olympus—his rise against the Titans, symbols of power, epic loves, and legacy across myth and history.

www.historyandmyths.com

The Duality of Zeus: Benevolent Ruler or Vengeful God? - Greek Mythology

The Duality of Zeus: Benevolent Ruler or Vengeful God? The Duality of Zeus: Benevolent Ruler or Vengeful God? I. Introduction Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, stands as one of the most significant figures in ancient lore. Revered as the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder, he...

greek.mythologyworldwide.com

How many of the characteristics of Zeus as described in the 2nd article above are consistent with characteristics we think belong to G-d? How many are different?

While I'm not interested in comparing Zeus with the God of Abraham, I discovered the epithets(different title) sometime this year and was fascinated by them(not just for Zeus, but many of the Old Greek deities). This has helped me understand the depths of these divinities, and relate to them better.

Zeus being the son of Cronus - and upon looking this up was reminded that Cronus is distinct from Chronos... but then looking that up it seems Cronus and Chronos may not have been distinct Chronos - Wikipedia identifies them as different, but later in the article implies something different.

This is an area I have explored less well, and wonder what others here think or know about the Greek or Roman gods.

I've never heard of a difference between Chronos/Cronos/Kronos. He was the one who accepted his mother's(Gaia's) request to castrate his father, though he never made good on the deal to let his brothers(the Cyclops and Hekatoncheires) out of her depths. He was one of the Titans, a grouping of Gods that his father(Ouranos) found acceptable enough to not imprison. All of the Titans had some function assigned to them; his was generally seen as Time.

Sadly, the apple didn't fall far from the tree. When a prophecy was made that he'd have a son that would overthrow him, he decided he'd swallow each of his children up. That worked, until his 6th, which his wife, Rhea, managed to hide from him. This was Zeus, who did manage to trick old Cronos into freeing his siblings(Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hades, Hestia) from his body. After that, the Titanomachy happened; a war between the new Gods and the old ones.

 

[iBrian]

My impression has always been that once gods become anthropomorphocised they end up effectively as a reflection of rulers at the time, being both benevolent and vengeful. I've previously thought this applied across those who took form in the Bronze Age onwards. So Zeus has an abstract origin based on the notion and attributes of the sky as a dominant authority, but his personality - with the constant cheating and abuses of power - effectively being a reflection of kingship.

However, that idea might not be so straight cut. I recently read a book on early mythology by John Knight Lundwall called Mythos and Cosmos in which he convincingly argues that many mythologies are based on stories relating to the constellations and how that reflects on life on our world. With that in might it may be the case that many stories literally about the infidelity of Zeus are metaphorically about astrological events.

Anyway, it's a great topic I'll try to revisit soon.

 

[iBrian]

How many of the characteristics of Zeus as described in the 2nd article above are consistent with characteristics we think belong to G-d? How many are different?

It's also worth remembering that Zeus is a sky god, ie, representative of the powers of the sky, and this includes powerful thunderstorms. I used to think I knew what a thunderstorm was - then about 8 years back we went to Turkey and on the first night there was a powerful electrical storm over the resort, and it was a very intense experience. Suddenly I realized why Zeus would have had so much respect and awe!

 

[JustGeorge]

It's also worth remembering that Zeus is a sky god, ie, representative of the powers of the sky, and this includes powerful thunderstorms. I used to think I knew what a thunderstorm was - then about 8 years back we went to Turkey and on the first night there was a powerful electrical storm over the resort, and it was a very intense experience. Suddenly I realized why Zeus would have had so much respect and awe!

That's cool you got to experience that!

While Storm Lord is one of his major functions, it's worth noting he had dozens of others.

As Zeus Herkeios, he guarded the boundaries of properties.

As Zeus Ktesios, he oversaw the stores of food one kept(and therefore their well being).

As Zeus Meilichos, he is a chthonic deity who overseas abundance.

As Zeus Polieus, he rules over and protects the city.

And there are many more epithets...

It's worth noting that two 'Zeuses' can be petitioned at once!