The 
most powerful god in ancient Greek mythology was Zeus. He was considered the ruler of all the other gods as well as of humans. Zeus was said to live on top of Mount Olympus with the other major gods. From there, he could see everything that humans did. He sent thunder, lightning, rain, and winds down to Earth. Zeus is associated with the Roman god Jupiter because they shared many traits. Two of Zeus’s symbols are the thunderbolt and the eagle. He used the thunderbolt as a weapon.
Zeus was said to punish those who angered him or did wrong. However, he rewarded those who behaved well. Zeus also was the protector of cities, the home, property, strangers, and guests.
According to legend, Zeus was the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. The Titans were giants who once ruled the world. Cronus heard that one of his children would destroy him. To prevent this, he swallowed his children right after they were born. But when Zeus was born, Rhea tricked Cronus. She had him swallow a rock wrapped in cloth rather than the baby. Rhea secretly sent Zeus to a cave to live. After he grew up, Zeus led a war to force the Titans from power. After 10 years Zeus won and became the chief god.
Zeus’s wife was the goddess Hera. They had a stormy relationship. Zeus fell in love with many other goddesses and women, and Hera became very jealous. When Zeus approached a new woman, he often changed himself into an animal—for example, a swan or a bull. Zeus was the father of many children, including the gods Apollo and Ares and the goddesses Artemis and Athena. Athena was born from Zeus’s forehead.
