Zeus/Jupiter

Zeus had two brothers and three sisters. When their father died, the boys - Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades - divided the world up between themselves. Zeus took all of the heavens, Poseidon took the sea, and Hades took the underworld. Each was quite content with their selection. 

Zeus had a very jealous wife named Hera. He also had a whole bunch of kids. Zeus was very fond of all his children. Each of his children had special magical powers.   

The Greeks loved to tell stories about the magical family who ruled the heavens. The Greeks truly believed that Zeus, Hera, and all the gods were real. They believed the gods could interfere in their lives, to help or hinder them. Many of the myths the ancient Greeks told were stories about how the gods helped or hindered each other, as well as how they helped or hindered mortal man.  

But Zeus was special. According to the ancient Greeks, the king of gods was an elected position. When the gods voted Zeus to be the king, Zeus remained king forever. No one tried to vote him out of office because Zeus was the most powerful god of all. 

Zeus had many powers. He could throw lightning bolts. His horse, Pegasus, carried his lightning bolts for him. Zeus could throw his voice, and sound like anybody. He could shape shift, and look like anybody. In fact, he was so good at shape shifting that he could shape shift into the form of an animal. 

Zeus had a quick temper, a big sense of humor, and lots of girlfriends. He was not afraid of anything except Hera, his wife.   

Zeus, Hera, and Little Io

Zeus, Hades, and the King of Corinth

Zeus and Pandora

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