Table of Contents
Names
- Zeus (Greek) overthrew his father, Chronos
- Zeus “The king of the gods” in ancient Greek mythology
- The ruler of Mount Olympus
- Jove/Jupiter the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Zeus overthrew his father, Saturnus
- Saturnus was linked to the Golden Age, a time of peace and plenty under his rule.
- Silver age
“When Saturn was cast down to shadowy Tartarus, Jove’s rule began; the Silver Age arose, Inferior to gold, yet better than bronze.” (Translation adapted for clarity)
Metamorphoses (Book 1, lines 125–150)
The Silver Age arose: The Silver Age is the second of Ovid’s four ages of mankind (Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Iron). It is described as inferior to the Golden Age, as humans began to experience hardship, seasons changed, and they needed to toil for food and shelter. However, it was still better than the subsequent Bronze and Iron Ages, which brought further decline, war, and greed.
Jove’s rule began: Jove, the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Zeus, overthrew his father, Saturnus (equated with Cronus in Greek mythology), and banished him to Tartarus, a dark underworld prison. This marks the end of Saturnus’ reign and the Golden Age, as Jupiter assumed control of the cosmos.
Zeus and Atlantis
“But when the divine portion in them began to fade, diluted too often with mortal admixture, and human nature gained the upper hand, they became unable to bear their prosperity and grew corrupt. To those with insight, they appeared base, for they lost the fairest of their precious gifts; but to those who could not discern true happiness, they seemed glorious and blessed, filled with unjust ambition and power.
Zeus, the god of gods, who rules by law and sees all things, perceived their wretched state and resolved to punish them, that they might be chastened and restored to virtue. So he gathered all the gods in their most holy sanctuary, which, placed at the center of the world, beholds all created things. And when he had assembled them, he spoke thus—” (Translation based on standard texts, e.g., Benjamin Jowett, adapted for clarity)
Critias (120e–121c)
The text breaks off here, leaving Zeus’s speech and the exact details of Atlantis’s destruction unwritten. Since Critias ends abruptly, the specifics of Zeus’s decision and Atlantis’s destruction (likely by flood or catastrophe, as implied in the related dialogue Timaeus) are not detailed.
“But afterwards there occurred violent earthquakes and floods, and in a single day and night of misfortune, the island of Atlantis disappeared into the depths of the sea.”
Timaeus (25c–d)
Donnely
Donnelly points out that the Egyptian god Amun-Ra, a supreme deity, shares similarities with Zeus in terms of power and authority. Amun-Ra is often depicted with attributes that are reminiscent of Zeus, such as the control over elements and a dominant position among the gods.
The Norse god Odin shares many characteristics with Zeus, including being the chief of the gods and having control over aspects of the natural world. Odin’s wisdom and leadership qualities are parallel to those of Zeus.
Indra, the king of the gods in Hindu mythology, wields a thunderbolt and controls the weather, similar to Zeus. Indra’s role as a warrior god and his position as a leader of the gods reflect Zeus’s attributes.
Donnelly highlights that symbols like the thunderbolt, eagle, and scepter are common across different mythologies, symbolizing supreme power and authority. These symbols help to draw parallels between Zeus and similar deities in other cultures.
Bridgman-Metchum
Bridgman-Metchum argues that many Mediterranean cultures, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, incorporated aspects of Atlantean mythology into their own religious systems. The figure of Zeus thus became a template for their supreme deities.
He extends this influence to ancient American civilizations, such as the Aztecs and the Maya. While these civilizations had their own distinct pantheons, Bridgman-Metchum suggests that the overarching concept of a supreme god with control over the elements can be traced back to Atlantean influences.
1 thought on “Zeus: Poseidon’s older brother”