Zeus
In Greek mythology Zeus was the great presiding deity of the universe. The Ancient Greeks first believed that Zeus was the god of all aerial phenomena, secondly as the personification of the laws of nature, thirdly as lord of state life and fouthly as the father of gods and men. Zeus was the son of Cronus and Rhea.
As the god of all aerial phenomena, the Greeks believed that he could produce storms, tempests and intense darkness simply by shaking his sacred shield.
As the personification of the laws of nature, the Greeks believed that Zeus represented the laws of unchanging and harmonious order, by which both the physical and moral laws are governed. Therefore he was the god of the seasons and day and night.
As the lord of state life, it was believed that Zeus was the founder of kingly power and the upholder of all institutions connected with the state. It was also believed that he was the special friend, patron and adviser of princes.
As the father of the gods, the Greeks believed that Zeus would see that each deity performed his or her duty and would punish their wrongs.
As the father of men, he would take a paternal interest in the actions and well being of mortals and would watch over them with solicitude and charity but would punish cruelty and perjury.
The Greeks believed that Zeus lived on the top of Mount Olympus, a high and lofty mountain between Thessaly and Macedon, and whose summit was amonst the mists and clouds and thus, hidden from mortal view. This summit was not only so high that mortals could not climb it but also even birds could not fly to this height. In this realm, it was believed that youth was eternal. On the summit of Olympus was the palace of Zeus and Hera. Below Zeus and Hera was the homes of the other gods. Below these gods were the homes of the Heroes or Demi-gods.
As the worship of Zeus was such an important feature in the religion of the Greeks, there was many magnificent statues created of this deity.
Zeus is usually depicted as a man of noble and imposing aristocracy. He can be recognised by his rich flowing beard and masses of hair which rises from the high and intellectual forehead and falls to his shoulders in clustering locks. He is always accompanied by an eagle which was sacred to him and his head is often encircled in a wreath of oak leaves. The oak tree was also sacred to Zeus and his sacrifices consisted of white bulls, cows and goats.
Zeus had seven mortal wives, Metis, Themis, Eurynome, Demeter, Mnemosyne, Leto and Hera.
References: Myths and Legends of Greece and Rome by E M Berens. August 1892 edition.