Zeus (Greek god)
Zeus (Greek god) is king of the gods and a deity of the sky, thunder and order in ancient Greek religion and mythology. In The OdysseyThe OdysseyThe Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic traditionally attributed to Homer (epic poet). Across 24 books it follows Odysseus’s return to Ithaca after the Trojan War and reunion with Penelope (Greek mythology) and Telemachus, interweaving sea adventures, recognition, household order and human choices.Open the full entry he presides over divine decisions, enforces prohibitions and helps Athena (Greek goddess)Athena (Greek goddess)Athena (Greek goddess) is a goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare and crafts in ancient Greek religion and mythology. In The Odyssey she supports Odysseus and Telemachus and helps bring about homecoming, recognition and a final settlement.Open the full entry bring the final conflict to an end.
Contents5 sections
Key facts
Sky, Thunder and Kingship
Zeus (Greek god) is king of the gods in Greek mythology, identified in ancient art by attributes including the thunderbolt and staff. A relief at The Walters Art Museum shows these alongside Poseidon (Greek god)Poseidon (Greek god)Poseidon (Greek god) is the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses in ancient Greek religion and mythology. In The Odyssey, anger at Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemus makes him a major obstacle to the hero’s return.Open the full entry’s trident, Athena (Greek goddess)’s helmet and the messenger’s staff of Hermes (Greek god)Hermes (Greek god)Hermes is a divine messenger associated with commerce and guiding souls in ancient Greek religion and mythology. In The Odyssey he carries Zeus (Greek god)’s orders, assists Odysseus against Circe and leads the suitors’ souls to the underworld.Open the full entry.[1]
The Decision on Homecoming
The opening divine discussion juxtaposes human choices and divine agency. Athena (Greek goddess) raises OdysseusOdysseusOdysseus is the legendary hero of Ithaca, protagonist of The Odyssey and a Greek leader in The Iliad. His long return from the Trojan War to Penelope (Greek mythology) and Telemachus centers on cunning, disguise, endurance and recognition.Open the full entry’s situation, and in Book 5 Zeus (Greek god) sends Hermes (Greek god) to order Calypso (Greek mythology)Calypso (Greek mythology)Calypso (Greek mythology) is the goddess on Ogygia in The Odyssey who shelters and detains Odysseus and offers him immortality. After Hermes conveys Zeus (Greek god)’s order, she releases him and helps equip his raft and voyage.Open the full entry to release him. The decision enables departure without making the subsequent voyage safe.[2][3]
Punishment for the Cattle of the Sun
After the companions slaughter the cattle of Helios, the Sun demands recompense. Zeus (Greek god) promises to destroy their ship and strikes it with a thunderbolt once it is at sea. The violation links the companions’ deaths with Odysseus’s solitary survival.[4]
A Divine End to Further Revenge
In the final book, Zeus (Greek god) and Athena (Greek goddess) address the order to follow the household conflict. When Odysseus pursues the retaliating relatives, a thunderbolt and Athena (Greek goddess)’s command halt the fighting. The ending concerns the termination of a social conflict as well as personal restitution.[5]