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Zeus is the centrepiece of Greek mythology; the height of omnipotence. He was the god of lightning, which today seems pretty low, but to them lightning was spectacular and a great fantastical wonder. Today we understand lightning to be a relatively pathetic thing when you compare it, for example, to nuclear fission or indeed fusion; yet to them there was nothing more powerful, thus he who wields the lightning bolt is more powerful than any other force in the Cosmos.

He is portrayed as both father and king of the Gods and of men on earth (thus they must worship him, or be destroyed). He is in some instances merciful, others ruthless, others impartial. Yet always he is omnipotent and is more powerful than all the other Gods in the Pantheion (sometimes even when their forces are combined).

In terms of his role, he does more than just wield the lightning bolt. As in other religions, the lightning god is also the weather god, controlling the seasons, rainfall and other things which are essential for life itself.

Zeus' equivalent god in Roman mythology is Jupiter (Iupiter in the Latin texts), who also plays a very similar in Roman myths and legends; though note that the two are not exactly parallel: the Greeks were more interested in Philosophy (including the meaning of life), while the Romans only sought practical knowledge and didn't value life highly.

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13y ago

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