The Rise of Zeus

By Cory Lutz

Last updated 30, Apr 2023

To understand Zeus we must understand the two dynasties of gods and goddesses of ancient Greek mythology. First, there were the Titans. Commonly portrayed as the creators of everything or in some cases the essence of what is. For instance, Cronus was the god of time. He is also the protagonist of the story telling the uprising of Zeus.

In the beginning there were two primordial beings, Gaia (the earth) and Uranus (the heavens). They gave birth to the twelve titans. The youngest among them, Cronus, would later overthrow his father to rule all the gods. It was this event and other prophecies that convinced Cronus he would be overthrown by his own children. He had six offspring with his sister Rhea that would start the era of the Olympians. These were Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, and Demeter.

Struck with fear of his ending reign, Cronus swallowed each child as they were born. Rhea was filled with grief and after having her sixth and final son Zeus, she frantically snuck him away to safety. Rhea tricked Cronus by feeding him a stone swaddled like an infant. Zeus would lie wait growing in size and strength filling with vengeance.

There are two versions of the next plot elevation. One depicts Zeus putting together a potion to cause Cronus to disgorge his siblings. The other is a more violent recount at which Zeus cuts open Cronus' stomach to free his siblings. Each variation ends with the start of a ten year war waged against the Titans by the Olympians led by Zeus and ultimately ending with the imprisonment of the Titans and the rule of the Olympians.

Zeus would then be named King of the Gods. He ruled from Mount Olympus over all gods. After defeating the titans, Zeus and his two brothers, Hades and Poseidon, would cast lots over who ruled the dominions. Zeus became god of the Heavens, Poseidon the god of the sea, and Hades the god of the underworld. Some circles accuse Zeus of altering the outcome of the lots and this betrayal festered hate in the heart of Hades. Hades was known to be an antagonist towards the other Olympians. Poseidon is also not only considered the god of the sea but can be described as ruling the dominion of mortals, the realm between heaven and hell.