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He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet
Zeus
Before the twelve Olympians, there were the Titans. These were great beings created by Gaea (Goddess of the Earth) and Her consorts. The leader of the Titans was Cronus and He ruled for many years until a prophesy said that any child of Cronus that lived would overthrow His kingdom. Fearing the worst, any child He and His wife Rhea had, Cronus would eat alive. Tiring of having Her children killed, when Zeus was born Rhea hid Him and gave Cronus a rock wrapped in cloth. True to the prophesy, Zeus rebelled against the Titans and They were banished to Tartarus. Once the Titans were removed from power, Zeus and His two brothers Hades and Poseidon, drew lots for power. Zeus won and became the Supreme God, Hades drew the underworld and Poseidon became ruler of the sea.
Because He rules the Sky, Zeus became a God of justice and was capable of seeing any wrong done by mankind. It was He that bound Prometheus to the rock for daring to help mankind, and it was He that demanded Pandora's Box be created. He could be vengeful, but was involved in all aspects of ancient life. He is known to be a lover of women, both Goddesses and mortal, and fathered many children. Metis (Goddess of Wisdom)was His first wife. He swallowed Her, proceeded to have a horrendous headache, and when His head was split open Athena was revealed. Themis was His next wife and with Her, He produced the Fates and Seasons. Mnemosyne was the Goddess of Memory, and toghether They produced the Muses. His third wife was Hera, His sister, that He tricked and raped so She would have to marry Him. She was always jealous of His affairs, and harrassed any conquests She could.
Zeus is portraid as an older man, with a flowing beard and long hair. He is often seated on a throne and carries His symbol, the Thunderbolt. This thunderbolt was all-powerful and never missed. It's power was so great that only He or one He deemed worthy could use it. Athena was His favorite so She was allowed to carry it and occasionally use it.
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Brightest of Blessings