Zeus (Jupiter)

ZEUS^[11] (Jupiter).

Zeus, the great presiding deity of the universe, the ruler of heaven
and earth, was regarded by the Greeks, first, as the god of all aërial
phenomena; secondly, as the personification of the laws of nature;
thirdly, as lord of state-life; and fourthly, as the father of gods and
men.

As the god of aërial phenomena he could, by shaking his ægis,^[12] produce storms, tempests,
and intense darkness. At his command the mighty thunder rolls, the
lightning flashes, and the clouds open and pour forth their refreshing
streams to fructify the earth.

As the personification of the operations of nature, he represents
those grand laws of unchanging and harmonious order, by which not only
the physical but also [27]the moral world is governed. Hence he is the
god of regulated time as marked by the changing seasons, and by the
regular succession of day and night, in contradistinction to his father
Cronus, who represents time absolutely, i.e. eternity.

As the lord of state-life, he is the founder of kingly power, the
upholder of all institutions connected with the state, and the special
friend and patron of princes, whom he guards and assists with his advice
and counsel. He protects the assembly of the people, and, in fact,
watches over the welfare of the whole community.

As the father of the gods, Zeus sees that each deity performs his or
her individual duty, punishes their misdeeds, settles their disputes, and
acts towards them on all occasions as their all-knowing counsellor and
mighty friend.

As the father of men, he takes a paternal interest in the actions and
well-being of mortals. He watches over them with tender solicitude,
rewarding truth, charity, and uprightness, but severely punishing
perjury, cruelty, and want of hospitality. Even the poorest and most
forlorn wanderer finds in him a powerful advocate, for he, by a wise and
merciful dispensation, ordains that the mighty ones of the earth should
succour their distressed and needy brethren.

The Greeks believed that the home of this their mighty and
all-powerful deity was on the top of Mount Olympus, that high and lofty
mountain between Thessaly and Macedon, whose summit, wrapt in clouds and
mist, was hidden from mortal view. It was supposed that this mysterious
region, which even a bird could not reach, extended beyond the clouds
right into Aether, the realm of the immortal gods. The poets describe
this ethereal atmosphere as bright, glistening, and refreshing,
exercising a peculiar, gladdening influence over the minds and hearts of
those privileged beings permitted to share its delights. Here youth never
ages, and the passing years leave no traces on its favoured inhabitants.
On the cloud-capped summit of Olympus was the palace of [28]Zeus and Hera,
of burnished gold, chased silver, and gleaming ivory. Lower down were the
homes of the other gods, which, though less commanding in position and
size, were yet similar to that of Zeus in design and workmanship, all
being the work of the divine artist Hephæstus. Below these were other
palaces of silver, ebony, ivory, or burnished brass, where the Heroes, or
Demi-gods, resided.

As the worship of Zeus formed so important a feature in the religion
of the Greeks, his statues were necessarily both numerous and
magnificent. He is usually represented as a man of noble and imposing
mien, his countenance expressing all the lofty majesty of the omnipotent
ruler of the universe, combined with the gracious, yet serious, benignity
of the father and friend of mankind. He may be recognized by his rich
flowing beard, and the thick masses of hair, which rise straight from the
high and intellectual forehead and fall to his shoulders in clustering
locks. The nose is large and finely formed, and the slightly-opened lips
impart an air of sympathetic kindliness which invites confidence. He is
always accompanied by an eagle, which either surmounts his sceptre, or
sits at his feet; he generally bears in his uplifted hand a sheaf of
thunder-bolts, just ready to be hurled, whilst in the other he holds the
lightning. The head is frequently encircled with a wreath of
oak-leaves.

The most celebrated statue of the Olympian Zeus was that by the famous
Athenian sculptor Phidias, which was forty feet high, and stood in the
temple of Zeus at Olympia. It was formed of ivory and gold, and was [29]such a
masterpiece of art, that it was reckoned among the seven wonders of the
world. It represented the god, seated on a throne, holding in his right
hand a life-sized image of Nike (the goddess of Victory), and in his left
a royal sceptre, surmounted by an eagle. It is said that the great
sculptor had concentrated all the marvellous powers of his genius on this
sublime conception, and earnestly entreated Zeus to give him a decided
proof that his labours were approved. An answer to his prayer came
through the open roof of the temple in the shape of a flash of lightning,
which Phidias interpreted as a sign that the god of heaven was pleased
with his work.

Zeus was first worshipped at Dodona in Epirus, where, at the foot of
Mount Tomarus, on the woody shore of Lake Joanina, was his famous oracle,
the most ancient in Greece. Here the voice of the eternal and invisible
god was supposed to be heard in the rustling leaves of a giant oak,
announcing to mankind the will of heaven and the destiny of mortals;
these revelations being interpreted to the people by the priests of Zeus,
who were called Selli. Recent excavations which have been made at this
spot have brought to light the ruins of the ancient temple of Zeus, and
also, among other interesting relics, some plates of lead, on which are
engraved inquiries which were evidently made by certain individuals who
consulted the oracle. These little leaden plates speak to us, as it were,
in a curiously homely manner of a by-gone time in the buried past. One
person inquires what god he should apply to for health and fortune;
another asks for advice concerning his child; and a third, evidently a
shepherd, promises a gift to the oracle should a speculation in sheep
turn out successfully. Had these little memorials been of gold instead of
lead, they would doubtless have shared the fate of the numerous treasures
which adorned this and other temples, in the universal pillage which took
place when Greece fell into the hands of barbarians.

Though Dodona was the most ancient of his shrines, the great national
seat of the worship of Zeus was at Olympia in Elis, where there was a
magnificent temple [30]dedicated to him, containing the famous
colossal statue by Phidias above described. Crowds of devout worshippers
flocked to this world-renowned fane from all parts of Greece, not only to
pay homage to their supreme deity, but also to join in the celebrated
games which were held there at intervals of four years. The Olympic games
were such a thoroughly national institution, that even Greeks who had
left their native country made a point of returning on these occasions,
if possible, in order to contend with their fellow-countrymen in the
various athletic sports which took place at these festivals.

It will be seen on reflection that in a country like Greece, which
contained so many petty states, often at variance with each other, these
national gatherings must have been most valuable as a means of uniting
the Greeks in one great bond of brotherhood. On these festive occasions
the whole nation met together, forgetting for the moment all past
differences, and uniting in the enjoyment of the same festivities.

It will doubtless have been remarked that in the representations of
Zeus he is always accompanied by an eagle. This royal bird was sacred to
him, probably from the fact of its being the only creature capable of
gazing at the sun without being dazzled, which may have suggested the
idea that it was able to contemplate the splendour of divine majesty
unshrinkingly.

The oak-tree, and also the summits of mountains, were sacred to Zeus.
His sacrifices consisted of white bulls, cows, and goats.

Zeus had seven immortal wives, whose names were Metis, Themis,
Eurynome, Demeter, Mnemosyne, Leto, and Hera.

METIS, his first wife, was one of the Oceanides or sea-nymphs.
She was the personification of prudence and wisdom, a convincing proof of
which she displayed in her successful administration of the potion which
caused Cronus to yield up his children. She was endowed with the gift of
prophecy, and foretold to Zeus that one of their children would gain
ascendency over [31]him. In order, therefore, to avert the
possibility of the prediction being fulfilled he swallowed her before any
children were born to them. Feeling afterwards violent pains in his head,
he sent for Hephæstus, and ordered him to open it with an axe. His
command was obeyed, and out sprang, with a loud and martial shout, a
beautiful being, clad in armour from head to foot. This was Athene
(Minerva), goddess of Armed Resistance and Wisdom.

THEMIS was the goddess of Justice, Law, and Order.

EURYNOME was one of the Oceanides, and the mother of the
Charites or Graces.

DEMETER,^[13] the
daughter of Cronus and Rhea, was the goddess of Agriculture.

MNEMOSYNE, the daughter of Uranus and Gæa, was the goddess of
Memory and the mother of the nine Muses.

LETO (Latona) was the daughter of Cœus and Phœbe.
She was gifted with wonderful beauty, and was tenderly loved by Zeus, but
her lot was far from being a happy one, for Hera, being extremely jealous
of her, persecuted her with inveterate cruelty, and sent the dreadful
serpent Python^[14] to
terrify and torment her wherever she went. But Zeus, who had observed
with the deepest compassion her weary wanderings and agonized fears,
resolved to create for her some place of refuge, however humble, where
she might feel herself safe from the venomous attacks of the serpent. He
therefore brought her to Delos, a floating island in the Ægean Sea, which
he made stationary by attaching it with chains of adamant to the bottom
of the sea. Here she gave birth to her twin-children, Apollo and Artemis
(Diana), two of the most beautiful of the immortals.

According to some versions of the story of Leto, Zeus transformed her
into a quail, in order that she might thus elude the vigilance of Hera,
and she is said to have [32]resumed her true form when she arrived at
the island of Delos.

HERA, being the principal wife of Zeus and queen of heaven, a
detailed account will be given of her in a special chapter.

In the union of Zeus with most of his immortal wives we shall find
that an allegorical meaning is conveyed. His marriage with Metis, who is
said to have surpassed both gods and men in knowledge, represents supreme
power allied to wisdom and prudence. His union with Themis typifies the
bond which exists between divine majesty and justice, law, and order.
Eurynome, as the mother of the Charites or Graces, supplied the refining
and harmonizing influences of grace and beauty, whilst the marriage of
Zeus with Mnemosyne typifies the union of genius with memory.

---

In addition to the seven immortal wives of Zeus, he was also allied to
a number of mortal maidens whom he visited under various disguises, as it
was supposed that if he revealed himself in his true form as king of
heaven the splendour of his glory would cause instant destruction to
mortals. The mortal consorts of Zeus have been such a favourite theme
with poets, painters, and sculptors, that it is necessary to give some
account of their individual history. Those best known are Antiope, Leda,
Europa, Callisto, Alcmene, Semele, Io, and Danae.

ANTIOPE, to whom Zeus appeared under the form of a satyr, was
the daughter of Nicteus, king of Thebes. To escape the anger of her
father she fled to Sicyon, where king Epopeus, enraptured with her
wonderful beauty, made her his wife without asking her father’s consent.
This so enraged Nicteus that he declared war against Epopeus, in order to
compel him to restore Antiope. At his death, which took place before he
could succeed in his purpose, Nicteus left his kingdom to his brother
Lycus, commanding him, at the same time, to carry on the war, and execute
his vengeance. Lycus invaded Sicyon, defeated and killed Epopeus, and
brought back [33]Antiope as a prisoner. On the way to Thebes
she gave birth to her twin-sons, Amphion and Zethus, who, by the orders
of Lycus, were at once exposed on Mount Cithaeron, and would have
perished but for the kindness of a shepherd, who took pity on them and
preserved their lives. Antiope was, for many years, held captive by her
uncle Lycus, and compelled to suffer the utmost cruelty at the hands of
his wife Dirce. But one day her bonds were miraculously loosened, and she
flew for shelter and protection to the humble dwelling of her sons on
Mount Cithaeron. During the long period of their mother’s captivity the
babes had grown into sturdy youths, and, as they listened angrily to the
story of her wrongs, they became all impatience to avenge them. Setting
off at once to Thebes they succeeded in possessing themselves of the
town, and after slaying the cruel Lycus they bound Dirce by the hair to
the horns of a wild bull, which dragged her hither and thither until she
expired. Her mangled body was cast into the fount near Thebes, which
still bears her name. Amphion became king of Thebes in his uncle’s stead.
He was a friend of the Muses, and devoted to music and poetry. His
brother, Zethus, was famous for his skill in archery, and was
passionately fond of the chase. It is said that when Amphion wished to
inclose the town of Thebes with walls and towers, he had but to play a
sweet melody on the lyre, given to him by Hermes, and the huge stones
began to move, and obediently fitted themselves together.

The punishment of Dirce at the hands of Amphion and Zethus forms the
subject of the world-renowned marble group in the museum at Naples, known
by the name of the Farnese Bull.

In sculpture Amphion is always represented with a lyre; Zethus with a
club.

LEDA, whose affections Zeus won under the form of a swan, was
the daughter of Thestius, king of Ætolia. Her twin-sons, Castor and
(Polydeuces or) Pollux,^[15]
were [34]renowned for their tender attachment to each
other. They were also famous for their physical accomplishments, Castor
being the most expert charioteer of his day, and Pollux the first of
pugilists. Their names appear both among the hunters of the Calydonian
boar-hunt and the heroes of the Argonautic expedition. The brothers
became attached to the daughters of Leucippus, prince of the Messenians,
who had been betrothed by their father to Idas and Lynceus, sons of
Aphareus. Having persuaded Leucippus to break his promise, the twins
carried off the maidens as their brides. Idas and Lynceus, naturally
furious at this proceeding, challenged the Dioscuri to mortal combat, in
which Castor perished by the hand of Idas, and Lynceus by that of Pollux.
Zeus wished to confer the gift of immortality upon Pollux, but he refused
to accept it unless allowed to share it with Castor. Zeus gave the
desired permission, and the faithful brothers were both allowed to live,
but only on alternate days. The Dioscuri received divine honours
throughout Greece, and were worshipped with special reverence at
Sparta.

EUROPA was the beautiful daughter of Agenor, king of
Phœnicia. She was one day gathering flowers with her companions in
a meadow near the sea-shore, when Zeus, charmed with her great beauty,
and wishing to win her love, transformed himself into a beautiful white
bull, and trotted quietly up to the princess, so as not to alarm her.
Surprised at the gentleness of the animal, and admiring its beauty, as it
lay placidly on the grass, she caressed it, crowned it with flowers, and,
at last, playfully seated herself on its back. Hardly had she done so
than the disguised god bounded away with his lovely burden, and swam
across the sea with her to the island of Crete.

Europa was the mother of Minos, Aeacus, and Rhadamanthus. Minos, who
became king of Crete, was celebrated for his justice and moderation, and
after death he was created one of the judges of the lower world, which
office he held in conjunction with his brothers. [35]

CALLISTO, the daughter of Lycaon, king of Arcadia, was a
huntress in the train of Artemis, devoted to the pleasures of the chase,
who had made a vow never to marry; but Zeus, under the form of the
huntress-goddess, succeeded in obtaining her affections. Hera, being
extremely jealous of her, changed her into a bear, and caused Artemis
(who failed to recognize her attendant under this form) to hunt her in
the chase, and put an end to her existence. After her death she was
placed by Zeus among the stars as a constellation, under the name of
Arctos, or the bear.

ALCMENE, the daughter of Electryon, king of Mycenae, was
betrothed to her cousin Amphytrion; but, during his absence on a perilous
undertaking, Zeus assumed his form, and obtained her affections. Heracles
(whose world-renowned exploits will be related among the legends) was the
son of Alcmene and Zeus.

SEMELE, a beautiful princess, the daughter of Cadmus, king of
Phœnicia, was greatly beloved by Zeus. Like the unfortunate
Callisto, she was hated by Hera with jealous malignity, and the haughty
queen of heaven determined to effect her destruction. Disguising herself,
therefore, as Berœ, Semele’s faithful old nurse, she artfully
persuaded her to insist upon Zeus visiting her, as he appeared to Hera,
in all his power and glory, well knowing that this would cause her
instant death. Semele, suspecting no treachery, followed the advice of
her supposed nurse; and the next time Zeus came to her, she earnestly
entreated him to grant the favour she was about to ask. Zeus swore by the
Styx (which was to the gods an irrevocable oath) to accede to her request
whatsoever it might be. Semele, therefore, secure of gaining her
petition, begged of Zeus to appear to her in all the glory of his divine
power and majesty. As he had sworn to grant whatever she asked of him, he
was compelled to comply with her wish; he therefore revealed himself as
the mighty lord of the universe, accompanied by thunder and lightning,
and she was instantly consumed in the flames. [36]

IO, daughter of Inachus, king of Argos, was a priestess of
Hera. She was very beautiful, and Zeus, who was much attached to her,
transformed her into a white cow, in order to defeat the jealous
intrigues of Hera, who, however, was not to be deceived. Aware of the
stratagem, she contrived to obtain the animal from Zeus, and placed her
under the watchful care of a man called Argus-Panoptes, who fastened her
to an olive-tree in the grove of Hera. He had a hundred eyes, of which,
when asleep, he never closed more than two at a time; being thus always
on the watch, Hera found him extremely useful in keeping guard over Io.
Hermes, however, by the command of Zeus, succeeded in putting all his
eyes to sleep with the sound of his magic lyre, and then, taking
advantage of his helpless condition, slew him. The story goes, that in
commemoration of the services which Argus had rendered her, Hera placed
his eyes on the tail of a peacock, as a lasting memorial of her
gratitude. Ever fertile in resource, Hera now sent a gadfly to worry and
torment the unfortunate Io incessantly, and she wandered all over the
world in hopes of escaping from her tormentor. At length she reached
Egypt, where she found rest and freedom from the persecutions of her
enemy. On the banks of the Nile she resumed her original form and gave
birth to a son called Epaphus, who afterwards became king of Egypt, and
built the famous city of Memphis.

DANAE.—Zeus appeared to Danae under the form of a shower
of gold. (Further details concerning her will be found in the legend of
Perseus.)

---

The Greeks supposed that the divine ruler of the Universe occasionally
assumed a human form, and descended from his celestial abode, in order to
visit mankind and observe their proceedings, his aim being generally
either to punish the guilty, or to reward the deserving.

On one occasion Zeus, accompanied by Hermes, made a journey through
Phrygia, seeking hospitality and shelter wherever they went. But nowhere
did they receive a [37]kindly welcome till they came to the humble
cottage of an old man and his wife called Philemon and Baucis, who
entertained them with the greatest kindness, setting before them what
frugal fare their humble means permitted, and bidding them welcome with
unaffected cordiality. Observing in the course of their simple repast
that the wine bowl was miraculously replenished, the aged couple became
convinced of the divine nature of their guests. The gods now informed
them that on account of its wickedness their native place was doomed to
destruction, and told them to climb the neighbouring hill with them,
which overlooked the village where they dwelt. What was their dismay on
beholding at their feet, in place of the spot where they had passed so
many happy years together, nothing but a watery plain, the only house to
be seen being their own little cottage, which suddenly changed itself
into a temple before their eyes. Zeus now asked the worthy pair to name
any wish they particularly desired and it should be granted. They
accordingly begged that they might serve the gods in the temple below,
and end life together.

Their wish was granted, for, after spending the remainder of their
lives in the worship of the gods, they both died at the same instant, and
were transformed by Zeus into trees, remaining for ever side by side.

Upon another occasion Zeus, wishing to ascertain for himself the truth
of the reports concerning the atrocious wickedness of mankind, made a
journey through Arcadia. Being recognized by the Arcadians as king of
heaven, he was received by them with becoming respect and veneration; but
Lycaon, their king, who had rendered himself infamous by the gross
impiety of himself and his sons, doubted the divinity of Zeus, ridiculed
his people for being so easily duped, and, according to his custom of
killing all strangers who ventured to trust his hospitality, resolved to
murder him. Before executing this wicked design, however, he decided to
put Zeus to the test, and having killed a boy for the purpose, placed
before him a dish containing human flesh. But Zeus was [38]not to be
deceived. He beheld the revolting dish with horror and loathing, and
angrily upsetting the table upon which it was placed, turned Lycaon into
a wolf, and destroyed all his fifty sons by lightning, except Nyctimus,
who was saved by the intervention of Gæa.

JUPITER.

The Roman Jupiter, who is so frequently confounded with the Greek
Zeus, is identical with him only as being the head of the Olympic gods,
and the presiding deity over Life, Light, and Aërial Phenomena. Jupiter
is lord of life in its widest and most comprehensive signification,
having absolute power over life and death, in which respect he differed
from the Greek Zeus, who was to a certain extent controlled by the
all-potent sway of the Moiræ or Fates. Zeus, as we have seen, often
condescends to visit mankind, either as a mortal, or under various
disguises, whereas Jupiter always remains essentially the supreme god of
heaven, and never appears upon earth.

The most celebrated temple of Jupiter was that on the Capitoline Hill
in the city of Rome, where he was worshipped under the names of
Jupiter-Optimus-Maximus, Capitolinus, and Tarpeius.

The Romans represented him seated on a throne of ivory, holding in his
right hand a sheaf of thunderbolts, and in his left a sceptre, whilst an
eagle stands beside his throne.