Positive Depictions of Zeus
Peter Paul Ruben, "Jupiter and Mercury at Philemon and Baucis" (1632)
Titles & Epithets of Zeus
As a Fair and Merciful God
Μειλιχιος [Milichius]: Gracious, Merciful
Ευηνεμος [Evenemus]: Of Fair Winds
As a Bringer of Abundance and Prosperity
Επιδωτης [Epidotes]: Giver of Good
Πλουσιος [Plusius]: Of Wealth
Απημιος [Apemius]: Averter of Ills
As a Leader, Chief, and King
Βασιλευς [Basileus]: King, Chief, Ruler
Ὑπατος [Hypatus]: Supreme, Most High
Monarch of the Sky (by Homer and Virgil)*
Sire of Gods and Men (by Homer and Virgil)*
ἀρχὸς ἁπάντων [Archus Apantôn]: Commander of All Things*
As a Protector of People, Cities, and Homes
Κτησιος [Ctesius]: Of the House, Property
Λαοιτης [Laoites]: Of (all) the People
Φυξιος [Phyxius]: Of Refuge / Puts to Flight
Ξενιος [Xenius]: Of Strangers, Hospitality
ἀγοραῖος [Agoraios]: Protector of Public Places (assemblies)*
If you're interested in other epithets: LINK || LINK*
Artistic Depictions of Zeus
Francisco Bayeu y Subías, "The Fall of the Giants,"
Charles-Antoine Coypel, "Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida"
Cornelis van Poeleburgh, “Feast of the Gods”
Maurice Denis, "Jupiter bestows Immortality on Psyche"
War of the Titans: In this myth, Zeus' father, Cronus, has received the prophecy that one of his children will dethrone him.
Out of fear, Cronus swallows all of his children as soon as his wife, Rhea, births them. Rhea manages to sneak out one, Zeus. Eventually, Zeus saves his siblings and starts a revolution against his father, resulting in a 10-year war called the Titanomachy. Zeus and his siblings end up victorious, and Cronus is dethroned and thrown into the pit of Tartarus.
Vows of Chasity: At the request of Hestia and Artemis, Zeus vowed that he would accept the two to remain as virgin Goddesses.
Reconciliation of Zeus and Hera: Hera was mad at Zeus and left Olympus for unknown reasons. Zeus couldn't change her mind, so he went to the cleverest man in the land, Kithaeron. Kithaeron told Zeus to spread the news that he would marry a nymph and craft a wooden statue to play the bride. Zeus did so, and naturally, Hera came back angry. However, instead of a wedding, Zeus surprised Hera with a grand festival (called Daidala), and the two reconciled.
Hera & the Lust of Ixon: Ixon, a mortal King, fell in love with Hera during a visit to Olympus. He tried to rape Hera, to which Hera immediately reported to Zeus. To see if what she said was true, Zeus created a cloud in the sky which looked like Hera. Ixon, who saw the cloud and thought it was Hera, attacked it. Zeus punished Ixon by binding him to an eternally spinning wheel of fire in Tartarus.
Forgiveness of Cronus and the Titans: After many, many generations of Humans, Zeus forgave his father, Cronus, and freed him (and Cronus' brothers) from their prison in Tartarus. Zeus then made Cronus the King of the Elysian Islands (Home of Dead Heroes and the otherwise Blessed).
"O Zeus, much-honoured, Zeus supremely great, to thee our holy rites we consecrate, our prayers and expiations, king divine, for all things to produce with ease through mind is thine.
Hence mother earth and mountains swelling high proceed from thee, the deep and all within the sky. Kronion (Cronion) king, descending from above, magnanimous, commanding, sceptred Zeus; all-parent, principle and end of all, whose power almighty shakes this earthly ball; even nature trembles at thy mighty nod, loud-sounding, armed with lightning, thundering god.
Source of abundance, purifying king, O various-formed, from whom all natures spring; propitious hear my prayer, give blameless health, with peace divine, and necessary wealth."
Homeric Hymn 23: To the Son of Cronos
“I will sing of Zeus, chiefest among the gods and greatest, all-seeing, the lord of all, the fulfiller who whispers words of wisdom to Themis as she sits leaning towards him.
Be gracious, all-seeing Son of Cronos, most excellent and great!”
Divider by @/vibeswithrenai