Zeus

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that it is not exactly clear how or when the ancient Greeks first began to worship Zeus as the supreme leader of the gods. The writer maintains that some scholars argue that the name of Zeus originated in specific Indo-European cultures some 5,000 years ago. Further, th writer points out that the names of numerous gods and goddesses have been found on what are known as Linear B tablets, names like Hera, the wife of Zeus, Poseidon, the ruler of the seas, and of course Zeus. Thus, the name of Zeus became the foundation of ancient Greek mythology. The writer concludes that Zeus was the "King of the Gods" and the ultimate symbol of the Greek Pantheon, a religious system still studied by scholars today.

From the Paper:

"Zeus also played a major role in the position of women in ancient Greek society. Overall, marriage, procreation and family property were all under the control of men, while women remained under the guardianship of their fathers, brothers and those linked to the political arena of Greek society. Once again, the poet Hesiod helps us to understand this situation by relating the myth of the first woman named Pandora. According to this legend, Zeus, the King of the Gods, created Pandora as a punishment for men when Prometheus, a divine being and enemy of Zeus, stole fire from Zeus to give it to the human friends of Prometheus."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ferguson, John. Among the Gods: An Exploration of Ancient Greek Religion. London: Constable Press, 1989.
• Gimbutas, Marija. The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe, 6500-3500 B.C. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984.
• Hurwitt, Jeffrey M. The Art and Culture of Early Greece, 1100-480 B.C. Ithaca, NY: Random House, 1985.
• Leadbetter, Ronald. "Zeus." Encyclopedia Mythica. Internet. 2005. Retrieved from http://www.pantheon.org/articles/z/zeus.html.

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