Zeus was far from perfect. Despite his marriage to Hera, he had an endless list of affairs from which he bore both mortal and godly children. Amongst his offspring were Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hebe, Hermes, Athena, Aphrodite, Pyrrha, Selene and Themis. Zeus’s irrepressible, erotic predilection led to his many fascinating pursuits of women, both gods and mortals. Before his marriage to Hera, Zeus was wedded to Metis, the Titan goddess, from whom he bore Athena. From his second marriage to Themis, the Titan goddess, he fathered six children: the three Fates (Moirai) and the three Hours (Horai). He fathered the nine Muses from his third marriage to Mnemosyne. Although a brief relationship, he was involved in an affair with Leto who bore him Apollo and Artemis. Zeus was infamous for his seduction of women. He would manifest as various beings or objects to seduce women. With Danae he emerged as a golden shower. Ledea was tricked into sleeping with him when he disguised himself as a swan. During her time of maidenhood Zeus attempted repetitively to court Hera. When his plan failed he resorted to deception. He transformed into a scruffy cuckoo and managed to win the sympathy of Hera. Feeling sorry for the bird, she cuddled it close to her breast in order to give him heat. At this point, Zeus regained his real shape and raped Hera. Disgraced by the event, Hera married Zeus to keep it a secret. She was then condemned to a marriage riddled with unending affairs, violent disputes and much more.
Zeus the King of Olympus and Lord of Sky
