Is the Greek god Zeus almighty? If not, then what examples show he isn't.?

Question

I can think of many reasons as to how he was mighty, the battle of the giants, outwitting Prometheus, birthing Athena, and so on, but I can't come up with a good reason about how he failed. Or something that could remove the title of almighty.

Answer 1

Zeus was not "Almighty" because he was not Omnipotent. He was unable to keep his affairs secret from Hera, as one example. An "almighty" god would, one assumes, be able to rule without question and do whatever he pleased. However, Zeus was kept in check by his wife, and also compromised with the other gods from time to time.

The concept of an "almighty" deity is usually ONLY found in monotheistic religions for a very obvious reason: if one god is almighty, it makes all the others irrelevant. If Zeus was "almighty," the Greeks would have only had one god; there would have been no need to have a god that oversaw thieves and one who guarded the underworld and one who controlled the seasons and all that.

Answer 2

He answered to the other Gods. He fought with them. His wife Hera certainly gave him headaches. He had his vices. That's key here. Vices such as (oh say) women, mean he was subject to very human disadvantages. The very definition of Almighty would exclude such behaviors and faults. He also had a very definite "birth". It is my understanding that "Almighty" things create themselves.

(Now, I'm not knocking Zeus, by the way. He's a very personal favorite.)

You also may want to explore the idea of the god called Terminus who was the god of boundaries. In some versions, he is an aspect of Zeus himself. In others, he is an entity unto himself and one whom even the gods must obey. (I know I'm crossing the Roman/Greek line, here, but .... they did it first!) An Almighty figure would not need to obey Terminus. For me, this is the debate point when I go over the very question myself.

My opinion? (Because I'm mortal and shouldn't go saying definitive yes's or no's.) No. But he's pretty darned close for a being defined in a polytheistic context.

Answer 3

in Christianity they say that god made us like he was well if god made us like he was he was gay he was thief he was crooked and every thing in between now in Christianity they contradict that god was like that and you had the devil made you do this the ancient Greeks did not have devil you were the one responsible for your own doings that is why the ancient Greek religion made you a truly better person without fears of any evil shade almost all the praying that they have in Christianity the ancient Greeks had it before and they were using it to Zeus even the ten comadmens i have written the god almighty pray to Zeus and is almost the same like Christianity say and the Prometheus story the Jews have it copied and they mention in their bible with different name now you know Judaism have a count of some thing like 5800 years ask a Rabi and he will tel you but the Greeks were already made houses there they have found 15000 years so who was first ?? pray Zeus and will not be wrong the spirit of Olympics for ever and ever !!

Answer 4

Never say that kind of thing in front of Hera. You'll be inspecting your large intestines without any instruments but your bulging eyeballs.

Zeus only thinks he runs the place, but Hera doesn't like anyone letting on to the secret.

Answer 5

His weakness was mortal women. He had many affairs that pissed off Hera. Europa and Leta come to mind first. From all of his women came the mighty Heroes- Heracles, Perseus, etc.

Answer 6

He has human tendencies, just like the other gods, only magnified because he is a god. He had a temper and was vindictive and jealous.

Answer 7

failed as a husband
and he didn't create the world

Answer 8

He had sex with many many mortal women and hid them from his wife.

Answer 9

The fact that he doesent exist, and the fact that there are other gods.