ZEUS FAMILY

Greek Name Ζευς Transliteration Zeus Latin Spelling Zeus Translation Jupiter

Zeus, birth of Dionysus, and Hermes, Athenian red-figure lekythos C5th B.C., Museum of Fine Arts Boston

ZEUS was the king of the gods, and god of the sky, weather, fate and law.

This page provides an expansive overview of the children of Zeus. The majority were linked to him with only the briefest of genealogical references. Most of these were the mythical founders of royal and noble houses who naturally wanted to claim descent from the king of the gods.

The quotes on this page are merely a collection of odd genealogical references. For actual myths featuring Zeus, his loves and children see the "Zeus Loves" pages.

(1) DIVINE OFFSPRING

AGDISTIS A Hermaphroditic God born when Zeus accidentally impregnated Gaia the Earth. Fearful of this strange creature the gods castrated it, and it became the goddess Kybele. [Agdistis and Kybele and their parents were Phrygian gods later identified with Greek counterparts].

AIGIPAN (Aegipan) A rustic god, son of Zeus and Aix or Boetis (the wife of Pan).

ALATHEIA The goddess of truth was a daughter of Zeus.

APHRODITE The goddess of love was, according to some, a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Dione (most accounts, however, say she was born in the sea from the severed genitals of Ouranos).

APOLLON (Apollo) The god of music, Prophecy and Healing was a son of Zeus and the Titaness Leto.

ARES The god of war was a son of Zeus and his wife Hera.

ARTEMIS The goddess of hunting and Protectress of Young Girls was a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Leto.

ASOPOS (Asopus) The god of the river Asopos in Argos (Southern Greece) was, according to some, the son of Zeus and Eurynome (most accounts, however, call him a son of Okeanos and Tethys).

ATE The goddess of blind folly and ruin was, according to some, a daughter of Zeus (others say she was born fatherless to Eris).

ATHENE (Athena) The goddess of warcraft, wisdom and craft was sprung directly from the head of Zeus. Her mother was the Titaness Metis whom Zeus had swallowed whole in pregnancy.

BRITOMARTIS The goddess of hunting and fishing nets was a daughter of Zeus and the Nymphe Karme.

DIKE The goddess of justice, one of the three Horai, was a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Themis.

DIONYSOS (Dionysus) The god of wine and debauchery was a son of Zeus and Semele (or in a few unorthodox accounts, of Zeus and Demeter or Dione).

EILEITHYIA The goddess of childbirth was a daughter of Zeus and Hera.

EIRENE (Irene) The goddess of peace, one of the three Horai, was a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Themis.

ERIS The goddess of strife and warfare was, according to some, a daughter of Zeus and Hera (most, however, say she was a daughter of Nyx).

ERSA The goddess of the dew was a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Selene.

EUNOMIA The goddess of good governance, one of the three Horai, was a daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Themis.

HARMONIA The goddess of harmony was, according to one author, a daughter of Zeus and the Pleiad Elektra (the usual account makes her a daughter of Ares and Aphrodite who was only fostered by the Pleiad).

HEBE The goddess of youth was a daughter of Zeus and Hera.

HEPHAISTOS (Hephaestus) The god of smiths was, according to some, a son of Zeus and Hera (though many say Hera conceived him without the assistance of Zeus).

HERMES The god of merchants, shepherds and messengers was a son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia.

HORAI (Horae) The three goddesses of the seasons--Dike, Eirene, and Eunomia--were daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis.

KABEIROI (Cabeiri) The gods of the Mysteries of Samothrake were, according to some, sons of Zeus and the Mousa Kalliope (most, however, call them sons of Hephaistos and Kabeiro).

KAIROS (Caerus) The god of opportunity was the youngest divine son of Zeus.

KENTAUROI KYRPIOI (Cyprian Centaurs) A tribe of Kentauroi (Centaurs) native to the island of Kypros (eastern Mediterranean). They sprang from Gaia the Earth when Zeus accidentally impregnated his failed attempt to make love to Aphrodite.

KHARITES (Charites) The three goddesses of grace, beauty and mirth--named Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thaleia--were daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Eurynome.

KORYBANTES SAMOTHRAKIOI (Samothracian Corybantes) The orgiastic demigods of the Samothrakian Mysteries were sometimes described as sons of Zeus and the Mousa Kalliope.

LITAI (Litae) The elderly goddesses of prayer were daughters of Zeus.

MELINOE A fearsome goddess of the underworld, whose body was half black and half white. She as a daughter of Zeus and Persephone.

MOIRAI (Moirae) The three goddesses of fate and destiny--Atropos, Lakhesis and Klotho--were, according to some, daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis (others say they were daughters of Nyx, Ananke or Khaos).

MOUSAI (Muses) The nine goddesses of music and song--named Kalliope, Terpsikhore, Kleio, Euterpe, Ourania, Thaleia, Polyhymnia, Melpomene, Erato--were daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne.

NEMEA A minor goddess-nymph, daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Selene.

NYMPHAI (Nymphs) Nymphs in general were sometimes called the daughters of Zeus.

NYMPHAI THEMEIDES Three goddess-nymph daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Themis.

PALIKOI (Palici) Twin gods of the geysers of Palikoi in Sicily (southern Italy). They were, according to some, the sons of Zeus and Thaleia (but others say they were sons of Hephaistos and Aitna).

PAN The god of shepherds was, according to one author, the son of Zeus and Hybris (but others invariably call him a son of Hermes).

PANDEIA A minor goddess-nymph, daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Selene.

PERSEPHONE The goddess of the underworld and spring renewal was a daughter of Zeus and Demeter (or, according to one account, of Zeus and Styx).

PHASIS The gd of the river Phasis of Kolkhis (eastern Black Sea) was, according to some, a son of Zeus (other say he was a son of Okeanos and Tethys like the other Rivers).

ZAGREUS A divine son of Zeus and his own daughter Persephone. He was slain by the Titanes, but Zeus recovered the child's heart and fed it to Semele and Zagreos was reborn as the god Dionysos.

(2) MORTAL OFFSPRING

Zeus and the birth of Athena, Athenian black-figure amphora C6th B.C., Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

AIAKOS (Aeacus) A king of the island of Aigina (southern Greece). He as the son of Zeus and the Nymphe Aigina.

AITHLIOS (Aethlius) The first king of Elis (southern Greece), son of Zeus and either Protogeneia or Kalyke.

AKHEILOS (Acheilus) A Lydian boy (Asia Minor), son of Zeus and Lamia, who contested with the goddess Aphrodite in beauty.

ALEXANDROS (Alexander the Great) An historical king of Makedonia (northern Greece) and later Conqueror of much of the known world. He was, according to legend, a son of Zeus born to the Makedonian Queen Olympia. [This is a unique example of an historical personage bestowed with mythic origins].

AMPHION A king of Thebes in Boiotia (central Greece). He was a twin son of Zeus and Antiope.

ARGOS (Argus) The eponymous first king of Argos (southern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and Niobe.

ARKAS (Arcas) The eponymous king of Arkadia (southern Greece), son of Zeus and Kallisto.

ARKEISIOS (Arceisius) A king of the islands of Ithaka and Kephallenia (central Greece). He was a son of Zeus, or according to others, of Kephalos and Prokris.

ATYMNIOS (Atymnius) A lord of the island of Krete (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Zeus and Kassiopeia.

DARDANOS (Dardanus) The first king of the Troad (Asia Minor). He was a son of Zeus and Elektra, born on the island of Samothrake.

DIOSKOUROI (Dioscuri) Twin princes of the Spartan kingdom of Lakedaimonia (southern Greece) who were hatched from an egg laid by Queen Leda. One of the pair, Polydeukes, was fathered by Zeus, but the other, Kastor, was the son of Leda's husband Tyndareus.

EMATHION A king of the island of Samothrake (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Zeus and Elektra.

ENDYMION A king of Elis (southern Greece). He was the son of Kalyke, either by Zeus or her husband Aithlios.

EPAPHOS (Epaphus) A king of Egypt (North Africa), son of Zeus and the much-suffering Io.

GRAIKOS (Graecus) The eponymous first king of the Graikoi tribe of the Pindos Mountains (northern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and Thyia.

HELENE (Helen) A queen of Sparta (southern Greece), wife of Menelaus, who eloped to Troy with her lover Paris. She was a daughter of Zeus by Leda or the goddess Nemesis.

HELLEN A king of northern and central Greece and eponym of the Hellenes (i.e. the Greeks). He was, according to some, a son of Zeus and Pyrrha (though others say his father was Pyrrha's husband Deukalion).

HERAKLES (1) (Heracles) The greatest of the Greek heroes. He was born in the Boiotian city of Thebes (central Greece) to Alkmene who was seduced by Zeus in the form of her own husband.

HERAKLES (2) (Heracles) A son of Zeus and Lysithoe. According to some, he was a hero who was confused with the younger Herakles (1).

HEROPHILE A Sibylla prophetess of Libya (North Africa) and later of the oracle of Delphoi in Phokis (central Greece). She was a daughter of Zeus and the Libyan queen Lamia.

IARBAS A king of the Moors (North Africa). He was a son of Zeus and an African Nymphe.

IASION A prince of the Island of Samothrake (Greek Aegean) and Chief-Priest of the Samothrakian Mysteries. He was a son of Zeus and Elektra.

KEROESSA (Ceroessa) A nymph or princess of Byzantium--on the Bosporos Strait separating Europe and Asia. She was a daughter of Zeus and Io, and mother of Byzas, the eponymous founder of the celebrated city.

KOLAXES (Colaxes) A lord of the Tauric Khersonese (north-eastern Europe), son of Zeus and the Nymphe Hora.

KORINTHOS (Corinthus) The eponymous king of Korinthos (southern Greece). He was a son of Zeus (or, according to others, of Epopeus).

KRINAKOS (Crinacus) A king of Olenos, Akhaia (southern Greece). He was a son of Zeus.

KRONIOS (Cronius) A lord of the island of Rhodes (Greek Aegean), one of three sons borne to Zeus and the Nymphe Himalia.

KYTOS (Cytus) A lord of the island of Rhodes (Greek Aegean), one of three sons borne to Zeus and the Nymphe Himalia.

LAKEDAIMON (Lacedaemon) The first eponymous king of the Spartan kingdom of Lakedaimonia (southern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and the Pleiad Taygete.

LATINOS (Latinus) The first eponymous king of Latium (central Italy), son of Zeus and Pandora.

MAGNES The first eponymous king of Magnesia in Thessalia (northern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and Thyia (or, according to others, of Aiolos and Enarete).

MAKEDON (Macedon) The first eponymous king of Makedonia (northern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and Thyia.

MANES The first king of Lydia (Asia Minor), a son of Zeus and Gaia.

MEGAROS (Megarus) The first eponymous king of Megara (southern Greece), son of Zeus and a Sithnid Nymphe.

MELITEUS The founding prince of the town of Melite in Phthiotis (northern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and Othris.

MINOS A king of the island of Krete (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Zeus and Europa.

MYRMIDON A king of Phthiotis in Thessalia (northern Greece) and Epynom of the Myrmidones tribe. He was a son of Zeus and Eurymedousa.

ORION A giant who was born in answer to the prayers of the childless Boiotian (of central Greece) King Hyrieus. He was conceived by three gods--Zeus, Hermes and Poseidon--who urinated upon a bull's hide and buried it in the earth, to grow an earth-born infant.

PELASGOS (Pelasgus) The eponymous first king of the ancient Pelasgian tribe of Arkadia and Argos (southern Greece). He was a son of Zeus and Niobe (though others calls him a son of Poseidon and Larissa or an Autokhthon (Earth-Born).

PEIRITHOUS (Pirithous) A king of the Lapithai tribe of Thessalia (northern Greece) who, according to some, was a son of Zeus and Dia (though most authors say the father was Dia's husband King Ixion).

PERSEUS A hero and later king of Mykenai in Argolis (southern Greece). He was the son of Zeus and Danae.

POLYDEUKES (Polydeuces) A prince of Lakedaimonia (southern Greece) who with his twin-brother were known as the Dioskouroi. Polydeukes was the son of Zeus and Leda, while his twin brother was the son of Leda's husband Tyndareus.

RHADAMANTHYS A lawmaker of Krete (Greek Aegean) and later resident of Thebes in Boiotia (central Greece). Rhadamanthys was a son of Zeus and Europa.

SAON The first king of the island of Samothrake (Greek Aegean). According to some he was the son of Zeus and a local Nymphe (but others say he was a son of Hermes and Rhene).

SARPEDON 1 A king of Lykia (Asia Minor). He was a son of Zeus and Europa.

SARPEDON 2 A king of Lykia (Asia Minor) who fought in the Trojan War. He was a son of Zeus and Laodameia.

SPARTAIOS (Spartaeus) A lord of the island of Rhodes (Greek Aegean), one of three sons borne to Zeus and the Nymphe Himalia.

TANTALOS (Tantalus) An impious king of Lydia (Asia Minor), son of Zeus and the Okeanis Plouto.

TARGITAUS The first king of the Skythia (north-eastern Europe), son of Zeus and a daughter of Borysthenes.

TITYOS (Tityus) A giant of Orkhomenos (central Greece) who was, according to some, a son of Zeus and Elare (though others say he was a fatherless son of Gaia the Earth).

ZETHOS (Zethus) A king of Thebes in Boiotia (central Greece). He was the twin brother of Amphion and a son of Zeus and Antiope.

GENEALOGICAL LISTING

OFFSPRING IMMORTAL

[1.1] THE MOIRAI, THE HORAI (EUNOMIA, EIRENE, DIKE) (by Themis) (Hesiod Theogony 901, Apollodorus 1.13)

[1.2] THE HORAI (EUNOMIA, EIRENE, DIKE) (by Themis) (Pindar Olympian 9 & 13, Pindar Frag 30, Hyginus Preface)

[1.3] THE NYMPHAI (by Themis) (Apollodorus 2.114)

[2.1] THE KHARITES (AGLAIA, EUPHROSYNE, THALIA) (by Eurynome) (Hesiod Theogony 907, Apollodorus 1.13, Callimachus Aetia Frag 6, Hyginus Pref)

[2.2] THE KHARITES (AGLAIA, EUPHROSYNE, THALIA) (by Eunomia) (Orphic Hymn 60)

[3.1] THE MOUSAI (KLEIO, EUTERPE, THALEIA, MELPOMENE, TERPSIKHORE, ERATO, POLYHYMNIA, OURANIA, KALLIOPE) (by Mnemosyne) (Hesiod Theogony 53, Homeric Hymn IV, Orphic Hymn 76 & 77, Pindar Isthmian 6, Terpander Frag 4, Alcman Frag 8, Apollodorus 1.13, Antoninus Liberalis 9, Hyginus Preface, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.21)

[4.1] PERSEPHONE (by Demeter) (Hesiod Theogony 912, Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter, Apollodorus 1.29, Pausanias, Ovid Metamorphoses 5.501, Ovid Fasti 4.575, Nonnus Dionysiaca 5.562, et al)

[4.2] PERSEPHONE (by Styx) (Apollodorus 1.13)

[5.1] APOLLON, ARTEMIS (by Leto) (Hesiod Theogony 918, Hesiod Works & Days 770, Homer Iliad 1.9 & 21.495, Homer Odyssey 6.100 & 11.318, Homeric Hymn 27 to Artemis, Orphic Hymn 35, Pindar Nemean Ode 6 & 8, Pindar Processional Song on Delos, Callimachus Hymn to Artemis & Hymn to Delos, Apollodorus 1.21 & 3.46, Pausanias 8.9.1 & 8.53.1. Hyginus Fabulae 9 & 140, et al)

[6.1] HEBE, ARES, EILEITHYIA (by Hera) (Hesiod Theogony 921, Apollodorus 1.13, Hyginus Preface, et al)

[6.2] ARES (by Hera) (Homer Iliad 5.699, Aeschylus Frag 282, Pausanias 2.14.3)

[6.3] HEBE (by Hera) (Pindar Isthmian Ode 4, Pausanias 2.13.3, Aelian On Animals 17.46)

[6.4] HEPHAISTOS (by Hera) (Apollodorus 1.19, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.22)

[7.1] ATHENE (by Metis) (Hesiod Theogony 887 & 924; Apollodorus 1.20)

[7.2] ATHENE sprung from the head of Zeus (innumerable sources)

[8.1] APHRODITE (by Dione) (Homer Iliad 5.370; Euripides Helen 1098; Apollodorus 1.13)

[9.1] HERMES (by Maia) (Hesiod Theogony 938 & Astronomy Frag 1, Homeric Hymn 4 to Hermes, Homeric Hymn 17, Alcaeus Frag 308, Simonides Frag 555, Apollodorus 3.112, Ovid Fasti 5.79)

[10.1] DIONYSOS (by Semele) (Hesiod Theogony 940, Homeric Hymn 1 & 7 & 26, Pindar Odes Pythian 3, Bacchylides Frag 19, Apollodorus 3.26, Pausanias 3.24.4, Diodorus Siculus 4.2.1, Hyginus Fabulae 179, Nonnus Dionysiaca, et al)

[10.2] DIONYSOS (by Dione) (Scholiast on Pindar's Pythian 3.177; Hesychius)

[10.3] DIONYSOS (by Selene) (Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.21-23)

[10.4] ZAGREUS (by Persephone) (Orphic Hymns 29 &30, Hyginus Fabulae 155, Diodorus Siculus 4.4.1, Nonnus Dionysiaca 6.155, Suidas "Zagreus")

[11.1] MELINOE (by Persephone) (Orphic Hymn 71)

[12.1] presumably ERIS (as sister of Ares) (Homer Iliad 4.441, Quintus Smyrnaeus 10.51)

[13.1] ATE (Homer Iliad 19.85)

[14.1] THE LITAI (Homer Iliad 9.450, Quintus Smyrnaeus 10.300)

[15.1] ALETHEIA (Pindar Olympian Ode 11)

[16.1] KAIROS (Pausanias 5.14.9)

[17.1] HARMONIA (by Elektra) (Diodorus Siculus 5.48.2)

[18.1] BRITOMARTIS (by Karme) (Pausanias 2.30.3, Diodorus Siculus 5.76.3, Antoninus Liberalis 40)

[19.1] PANDEIA (by Selene) (Homeric Hymn 32 to Selene, Hyginus Preface, Scholiast on Pindar's Odes)

[19.1] ERSA (by Selene) (Greek Lyric II Alcman Frag 57)

[19.1] NEMEA (by Selene) (Scholiast on Pindar's Nemean Ode)

[20.1] AIGIPAN (by Boetis) (Hyginus Fabulae 155)

[20.2] AIGIPAN (by Aix) (Hyginus Astronomica 2.13)

[20.3] PAN (by Hybris)

[21.1] THE NYMPHAI (Hesiod Precepts of Chiron Frag 3, Homer Odyssey)

[22.1] THE PALIKOI (by Thaleia) (Macrobius Saturnalia 5.19.15)

[23.1] THE KABEIROI (by Kalliope) (Strabo 10.3.19)

[24.1] AGDISTIS (by Gaia) (Pausanias 7.17.8)

[25.1] ASOPOS (by Eurynome) (Apollodorus 3.156)

[26.1] PHASIS (Valerius Flaccus 5.205)

OFFSPRING MORTAL

KINGDOM OF THE HELLENES (North & Central Greece)

[1.1] HELLEN (by Pyrrha) (Apollodorus 1.49, Hyginus Fabulae 155)

KINGDOM OF MEGARIS (Southern Greece)

[1.1] MEGAROS (by a Sithnis Nymphe) (Pausanias 1.40.1)

KINGDOM OF AIGINA (Southern Greece)

[1.1] AIAKOS (by Aigina) (Hesiod Catalogues of Women Frag 53, Pindar Isthmian 8, Pindar Nemean 7, Corinna Frag 654, Bacchylides Frag 9, Apollodorus 3.156, Pausanias 2.29.2, Diodorus Siculus 4.72.1, Antoninus Liberalis 38, Hyginus Fabulae 52, Nonnus Dionysiaca 13.201)

KINGDOM OF KORINTHOS (Southern Greece)

[1.1] KORINTHOS (Pausanias 2.1.1)

KINGDOM OF ARGOLIS (Southern Greece)

[1.1] ARGOS (Hesiod Great Eoiae Frag 1, Pausanais 2.26.3)

[1.2] ARGOS (by Niobe) (Apollodorus 2.2, Pausanias 2.22.5, Hyginus Fabulae 155)

[2.1] PERSEUS (by Danae) (Homer Iliad 14.319, numerous others)

KINGDOM OF LAKEDAIMONIA (Southern Greece)

[1.1] LAKEDAIMON (by Taygete) (Apollodorus 3.116, Pausanias 3.12, Hyginus Fabulae 155, Hyginus Astronomica 2.21, Nonnus Dionysiaca 32.65)

[2.1] POLYDEUKES, KASTOR (by Leda) (Hesiod Catalogues of Women Frag 66, Homeric Hymn 32, Alcaeus Frag 34, Terpander Frag 5, Hyginus Fabulae 14, and other sources)

[2.2] POLYDEUKES (by Leda) (Pindar Nemean Ode 10, Hyginus Fabulae 77 & 80, et al)

[3.1] HELENE (by Nemesis) (Homerica Cypria Frag 8, Apolllodoros 3.127f, Hyginus Astronomy 2.8)

[3.2] HELENE (by Leda) (various sources)

KINGDOM OF ELIS (Southern Greece)

[1.1] AITHLIOS (by Kalyke) (Hesiod Catalogues Frag 8)

[1.2] AITHLIOS (by Protogeneia) (Pausanias 5.1.3, Hyginus Fabulae 155)

[2.1] ENDYMION (by Kalyke) (Apollodorus 1.56)

KINGDOM OF OLENOS (Southern Greece)

[1.1] KRINAKOS (Hesiod Catalogues Frag 52, Diodorus Siculus 5.81.4)

KINGDOM OF ARKADIA (Southern Greece)

[1.1] ARKAS (by Kallisto) (Hesiod Astronomy Frag 3, Apollodorus 3.100, Pausanias 8.3.6, Hyginus Fabulae 176, Hyginus Astonomica 2.1, Ovid Metamorphoses 2.409)

KINGDOMS OF BOIOTIA (Central Greece)

[1.1] HERAKLES (by Alkmene) (innumerable references)

[1.2] HERAKLES (by Lysithoe) (Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.16.42)

[2.1] AMPHION, ZETHOS (by Antiope) (Homer Odyssey 11.260, Apollodorus 3.41, Pausanias 2.6.1, Hyginus Fabulae 7)

[3.1] ORION (born of an oxhide fertilised & burried with the urination of Zeus, Poseidon & Hermes) (Hyginus Fabulae 195, Hyginus Astronomica 2.34, Ovid Fasti 5.493, Dionysiaca 13.96)

KINGDOM OF KEPHALLENIA (Central Greece)

[1.1] ARKEISIOS (Ovid Metamorphoses 13.144)

KINGDOM OF ORKHOMENOS (Central Greece)

[1.1] TITYOS (by Elare) (Apollodorus 1.23)

KINGDOM OF PHTHIOTIS (Northern Greece)

[1.1] MYRMIDON (by Eurymedousa) (Clement Exhortations)

[1.2] MELITEUS (by Othreis) (Antoninus Liberalis 13)

KINGDOM OF LAPITHAI (Northern Greece)

[1.1] PEIRITHOUS (Plato Republic 391c)

[1.2] PEIRITHOUS (by Dia) (Hyginus Fabulae 155)

KINGDOM OF MAGNESIA & MAKEDONIA (Northern Greece)

[1.1] MAGNES, MAKEDON (by Thyia) (Hesiod Catalogues Frag 3)

KINGDOM OF PERRHAIBIA (Northern Greece)

[1.1] GRAIKOS (by Pandora) (Hesiod Catalogues Frag 2)

KINGDOM OF SAMOS (Greek Aegean)

[1.1] SAON (by a Nymphe) (Diodorus Siculus 5.48.1)

KINGDOM OF RHODES (Greek Aegean)

[1.1] SPARTAIOS, KRONIOS, KYTOS (by Himalia) (Diodorus Siculus 5.55.4)

KINGDOM OF KRETE (Greek Aegean)

[1.1] MINOS, RHADAMANTHYS, SARPEDON (by Europa) (Hesiod Catalogues 19A, Apollodorus, et al)

[2.1] ATYMNIOS (by Kassiopeia) (Apollodorus 3.1.2)

[3.1] BRITOMARTIS (by Karme) (Pausanias 2.30.3, Diodorus Siculus 5.76.3, Antoninus Liberalis 40)

KINGDOMS OF SAMOTHRAKE & TROY (Aegean & Anatolia)

[1.1] DARDANOS, EETION (by Elektra) (Hesiod Catalogues of Women Frag 102)

[1.2] DARDANOS, IASION (by Elektra) (Apollodorus 3.138)

[1.3] DARDANOS (by Elektra) (Quintus Smyrnaeus 13.545, Lycophron 71, Hyginus Fabulae 155, Ovid Fasti 4.31, Virgil Aeneid 8.134)

[1.4] DARDANOS, IASION, HARMONIA (by Elektra) (Diodorus Siculus 5.48.2)

[1.5] DARDANOS, EMATHION (by Elektra) (Nonnus Dionysiaca 3.124)

[1.6] IASION (by Elektra) (Hyginus Fabulae 250)

KINGDOM OF LYDIA (Anatolia)

[1.1] TANTALOS (by Plouto) (Strabo 12.8.21, Pausanias 2.22.3, Antoninus Liberalis 36, Hyginus Fabulae 155, Nonnus Dionysiaca 1.145 & 48.729, Suidas)

[1.2] TANTALOS (Strabo 12.8.21, Diodorus Siculus 4.74.1)

[2.1] AKHEILOS (by Lamia) (Ptolemy Hephaestion Bk6)

[3.1] MANES (by Gaia) (Dionysius Halicarnassus)

KINGDOM OF LYKIA (Anatolia)

[1.1] SARPEDON (by Europa) (Catalogues of Women Frag 19A, Apollodorus 3.1.1, et al)

[1.1] SARPEDON (by Laodameia) (Homer Iliad 6.205, Apollodorus 3.1.1)

KINGDOM OF TAUROS (Black Sea)

[1.1] KOLAXES (by Hora) (Valerius Flaccus)

KINGDOM OF SKYTHIA (Black Sea)

[1.1] TARGITAUS (by Borysthenes' daughter) (Herodotus 4.5.1)

KINGDOM OF AIGYPTOS (North Africa)

[1.1] EPAPHOS (by Io) (Aeschylus Prometheus Bound 589, Apollodorus 2.5, Strabo 10.1.3, Aelian On Animals 11.10 & 145, Ovid Metamorphoses 1.750, Nonnus Dionysiaca 3.257 & 32.65)

KINGDOM OF LIBYA (North Africa)

[1.1] HEROPHILE (by Lamia) (Pausanias 10.12.2)

KINGDOM OF THE MOORS (North Africa)

[1.1] IARBAS (by a Libyan Nymphe) (Virgil Aeneid 4.198)

KINGDOM OF LATIUM (Central Italy)

[1.1] LATINOS (by Pandora) (Ioannes Lydus de Mens. i. 13)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

GENERAL LIST OF SONS

Zeus and the birth of Athena, Athenian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., British Museum

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Sons of Jove [Zeus] : Liber [Zagreos] by Proserpina, whom the Titanes dismembered; Hercules by Alcmena Liber [Dionysos] by Semele, daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia; Castor and Pollux by leda, daughter of Thestius; Argus by Niobe, daughter of Phoroneus; Epaphus by Io, daughter of Inachus; Perseus by Danae, daughter of Acrisius; Zethus and Amphion by Antiope, daughter of Nycteus; Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthus by Europa, daughter of Agenor; Hellen by Pyrrha, daughter of Epimetheus; Aethlius by Protogenia, daughter of Deucalion; Dardanus by Electra, daughter of Atlas; Lacedaemon by Taygete, daughter of Atlas; Tantalus by Pluto, daughter of Himas; Aeacus by Aegina, daughter of Asopus; Aegipan by the she-goat Boetis; Arcas by Callisto, daughter of Lycaon; Pirithous by Dia, daughter of Deioneus."

FAMILY IN MEGARIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Sithnis nymph.

FATHERED : 1. Megaros , king of Megara.

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 40. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The Megarians say that the Nymphai Sithnides are native, and that one of them mated with Zeus; that Megaros, a son of Zeus and of this Nymphe, escaped the flood in the time of Deukalion, and made his escape to the heights of Gerania (of the Cranes)."

FAMILY IN AEGINA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Aigina, Naiad nymph.

FATHERED : 1. Aiakos, king of Aigina.

For the MYTH of the seduction of Aiakos' mother see Zeus Loves: Aegina

FAMILY IN CORINTH (SOUTHERN GREECE)

FATHERED : 1. Korinthos, king of Korinthos.

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 1. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The Korinthian land is a portion of the Argive, and is named after Korinthos. That Korinthos was a son of Zeus I have never known anybody say seriously except the majority of the Korinthians."

FAMILY IN ARGOLIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Niobe, princess of Argos; 2. Io, princess of Argos; 3. Danae, princess of Argos.

FATHERED : 1. Argos, king of Argos; 3. Perseus, king of Mykenai; 4. Epidauros, king of Epidauros.

1) ARGOS King of Argolis

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 2 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Phoroneus ruled the entire region later called the Peloponnesos, and by a Nymphe named Teledike fathered Apis and Niobe . . . Niobe (the first mortal woman with whom Zeus had sex) bore Zeus a son Argos . . . Argos got the rule and named the [region of the] Peloponnesos Argos after himself."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 22. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"Argos [the eponym of Argos], reputed to be the son of Zeus and Niobe, daughter of Phoroneus."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 145 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"From Phoroneus and Cinna were born Apis and Niobe. She was the first mortal to be embraced by Jupiter [Zeus]. From her was born Argus, who named the town of Argos after his own name."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 :

"Sons of Jove [Zeus] . . . Argus by Niobe, daughter of Phoroneus."

For the MYTH of the seduction of Argos' mother see Zeus Loves: Niobe

2) LOVE IO

The Argive nymph Io was loved by Zeus. Her son Epaphos, however, was born in Egypt.

For the MYTH of the seduction of Io see Zeus Loves: Io

3) PERSEUS King of Mykenai

For the MYTH of the seduction of Perseus' mother see Zeus Loves: Danae

4) EPIDAUROS King of Epidauros

Hesiod, The Great Eoiae Fragment 1 (from Pausanais 2. 26. 3) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :

"According to the opinion of the Argives and the epic poem, the Great Eoiae, Argos the son of Zeus was father of Epidauros."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 26. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The father of Epidauros was Argos, son of Zeus."

FAMILY IN LACEDAEMONIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Taygete, Pleiad nymph; 2 - 4. Leda, queen of Sparta; 4. Nemesis, goddess.

FATHERED : 1. Lakedaimon, king of Sparta; 2 - 3. Kastor & Polydeukes, princes of Sparta; 4. Helene, queen of Sparta

1) LAKEDAIMON King of Sparta

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 116 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Taygete bore Zeus Lakedaimon."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 1. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"Lakedaimon, whose mother was Taygete, after whom the mountain was named, while according to report his father was none other than Zeus."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 18. 10-16 :

"[Illustrated on the throne of the statue of Aphrodite at Amyklai in Lakonia:] To describe the reliefs . . . Poseidon and Zeus are carrying Taygete, daughter of Atlas, and her sister Alkyone. There are also reliefs of Atlas."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Sons of Jove . . . Lacedaemon by Taygete, daughter of Atlas."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 21 :

"The Pleiades are called seven in number . . . six mated with immortals. three with Jove [Zeus], two with Neptunus [Poseidon], and one with Mars [Ares] . . . from Taygete and Jove [Zeus], was born Ladedaemon."

Ovid, Fasti 4. 169 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :

"The Pleiades . . . six of them entered a god's embrace . . . Maia, Electra, Taygete [lay] with Jove [Zeus]."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 32. 65 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :

"When I [Zeus] had Teygete Atlas' daughter, from whose bed was born Lakedaimon the ancient prince."

2 - 3) KASTOR & POLYDEUKES Princes of Sparta

The Dioskouroi twins were sons of Zeus and Leda, or one the son of Zeus, and the other of King Tyndareus.

For the MYTH of the seduction of the twin's mother see Zeus Loves: Leda

4) HELENE Queen of Sparta

Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 33. 7 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The Greeks say that Nemesis was the mother of Helene, while Leda suckled and nursed her. The father of Helene the Greeks like everybody else hold to be not Tyndareus but Zeus."

For MYTHS of the seduction of Helen's mother see:

(1) Zeus Loves: Leda

(2) Zeus Loves: Nemesis

FAMILY IN ELIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1 - 2. Kalyke, Thessalian princess; 2. Protogeneia, Thessalian princess.

FATHERED : 1. Aithlios, king of Elis; 2. Endymion, king of Elis.

1) AITHLIOS King of Elis

Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 8 (from Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodes 4. 57) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :

"Aithlios the son of Zeus and Kalyke."

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 49 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"The children of Deukalion and Pyrrha were . . . and a daughter Protogeneia, by whom Zeus had Aithlios."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. 1. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The first to rule in this land [Elis], they say, was Aithlios, who was the son of Zeus and of Protogeneia, the daughter of Deukalion."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Sons of Jove [Zeus] . . . Aethlius by Protogenia, daughter of Deucalion."

2) ENDYMION King of Elis

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 56 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Endymion was the son of Kalyke and Aithlios (though some say his father was Zeus). He led Aeolians forth from Thessalia and founded Elis. A man of unrivalled beauty, he was loved by Selene. When he was given a wish of his choice by Zeus, he chose to remain immortal and unaging in eternal sleep."

FAMILY IN ACHAEA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

FATHERED : 1. Krinakos, king of Olenos.

Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 52 (from Diodorus Siculus 5. 81. 4) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :

"Makareus was a son of Krinakos the son of Zeus as Hesiod says... and dwelt in Olenos in the country then called Ionian, but now Akhaian."

FAMILY IN ARCADIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Maia, nymph of Mt Kyllene; 2. Kallisto, princess of Arkadia.

FATHERED : 1. Hermes, god of flocks; 2. Arkas, king of Arkadia.

1) HERMES God of Flocks

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 21 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"The Pleiades are called seven in number . . . from Maia and Jove [Zeus], Mercurius [Hermes]."

2) ARKAS King of Arkadia

For the MYTH of the seduction of Arkas' mother see Zeus Loves: Callisto

FAMILY IN BOEOTIA (CENTRAL GREECE)

Zeus and the birth of Dionysus, Apulian red-figure volute krater C4th B.C., National Archaeological Museum of Taranto

LOVED : 1. Semele, princess of Thebes; 1. Lysithoe, princess; 2. Alkmene, Theban lady; 3 - 4. Antiope, princess of Thebes; 5. Thebe, Naiad nymph.

FATHERED : 1. Dionysos, god of wine; 2. Herakles, Theban hero; 3 - 4. Amphion & Zethos, co-kings of Thebes; 5. Orion, giant prince of Hyria.

1) DIONYSOS God of Wine

For the MYTH of the seduction of Dionysos' mother see Zeus Loves: Semele

For MORE information on this god see DIONYSOS and especially The Birth of Dionysus

2) HERAKLES Hero of Thebes

Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 16. 42 (trans. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) :

"We are told of several [heroes named Herakles] by the students of esoteric and recondite writings . . . Jupiter [Zeus] then and Lysithoe were the parents of the Hercules who is recorded to have had a tussle with Apollo about a tripod."

For the MYTH of the seduction of Herakles' mother see Zeus Loves: Alcmena

3 - 4) AMPHION & ZETHOS Co-Kings of Thebes

For the MYTH of the seduction of the twin's mother see Zeus Loves: Antiope

5) ORION Giant Prince of Hyria

Strabo, Geography 9. 2. 13 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :

"Hyria is the scene of the myth of Hyrieos, and of the birth of Orion, of which Pindar speaks in his dithyrambs; it is situated near Aulis."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 195 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Jove [Zeus], Neptunus [Poseidon], and Mercurius [Hermes] came as guests to King Hyrieus in Thrace. Since they were received hospitably by him, they promised him whatever he should ask for. He asked for children. Mercurius [Hermes] brought out the hide of the bull which Hyrieus had sacrificed to them; they urinated in it, and buried it in the earth, and from it Orion was born."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 34 :

"[The Constellation Orion:] Hesiod calls him the son of Neptunus [Poseidon] by Euryale, daughter of Minos. He had the ability of running over the waves as if on land . . .

Aristomachus says that there lived a certain Hyrieus at Thebes--Pindar puts him on the island of Chios - who asked from Jove [Zeus] and Mercurius [Hermes] when they visited him that he might have a child. To gain his request more readily he sacrificed an ox and put it before them for a feast. When he had done this, Jove and Mercurius asked him to remove the hide from the ox; then they urinated in it, and bade him bury the hide in the ground. From this, later on, a child was born whom Hyrieus called Urion (Urine) from the happening, though on account of his charm and affability he came to be called Orion."

Ovid, Fasti 5. 493 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :

"[Constellation] Boeotian Orion. I should sing the cause of this constellation. Jupiter [Zeus] and his brother who rules the broad sea [Poseidon] were travelling the road with Mercurius [Hermes]. It was the time when yokes bring back the upturned plough and stooping lams milk their bursting ewes. By chance an old farmer of a narrow plot, Hyrieus, spots them, as he stood by his little hut. He said : ‘The way is long, but not the time left, and my doorway is open to strangers.’ His look, too, strengthened his words, and he asked again. They take his offer and hide their godhead. They pass under the old man's smoke-blacked, filthy roof; a small fire glowed from yesterday's log . . . [He offers the gods food and wine].

Jupiter's [Zeus'] words were : ‘Wish whatever you desire; you shall have it all.’ The kind man's words were : ‘I had a dear wife, whom I knew in first youth's flower. Where is she now, you ask? Sealed in an urn. I gave her an oath, with you as my witness. "You alone," I declared, "shall be my wife." I've kept my word, but my desire has changed. I want to be, not a husband, but a father.’

All nodded; all stood by the hide of the ox. I am ashamed to speak any further [the three gods urinated on the hide]. Then they blanketed the sodden spot with soil. It was now ten months, and a boy was born. Hyrieus calls him Urion from his mode of birth; then the first letter lost its ancient sound. He grew huge."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 13. 96 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :

"Hyria, that hospitable land which entertained the gods, named after hospitable Hyrieus; where that huge giant born of no marriage-bed, threefather Orion, sprang up from his mother earth, after a shower of piss from three gods grew in generative fruitfulness to the selfmade shape of a child, having impregnated a wrinkled of fruitful oxhide. Then a hollow of the earth was made midwife to earth's unbegotten son."

FAMILY IN ORCHOMENUS (CENTRAL GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Elare, princess of Orkhomenos.

FATHERED : 1. Tityos, giant.

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 23 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Tityos son of Zeus and Orkhomenos' daughter Elare. After Zeus had seduced Elare, in fear of Hera he hid her beneath the earth, where she gave birth to their enormous son Tityos, and led him forth into the light of day."

For the MYTH of the seduction of Elare see Zeus Loves: Elara

FAMILY IN AETOLIA (CENTRAL GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Kallirhoe, Naiad nymph.

For the MYTH of the seduction of the nymph Kallirhoe see Zeus Loves: Callirhoe

FAMILY IN CEPHALLENIA (CENTRAL GREECE)

FATHERED : 1. Arkesios, king of Kephalleneia.

Ovid, Metamorphoses 13. 144 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :

"My [Odysseus'] father is Laertes, his Arcesius, and his was Juppiter [Zeus] . . . and on my mother's side add Cyllenius [Hermes, father of Autolykos], nobility again, both sides divine."

N.B. Homer also mentions that Odysseus was a descendant of Zeus without describing the precise genealogy.

FAMILY IN PAN-HELLAS (NORTH & CENTRAL GREECE)

Zeus and the birth of Athena, Athenian black-figure amphora C6th B.C., Antikensammlung Berlin

LOVED : 1. Pyrrha, queen of the Hellenes; 2. Protogeneia, princess of the Hellenes; 2. Kalyke, princess of the Aiolians; 3 - 4. Thyia, princess of the Hellenes; 5. Pandora, princess of the Hellenes.

FATHERED : 1. Hellen, king of the Hellenes; 2. Aithlios, king of Elis; 3. Makedon, king of Makedonia, 4. Magnes, king of Magnesia; 5. Graikos, king of the Graikoi.

After the Great Deluge Deukalion and Pyrrha were the proxy rulers of the whole of Greece. Their kingdom was centred on the town of Lokrian Opous but encompassed most of central and northern Greece (including Phokis, Lokris, Orkhomenos, Malis, Phthiotis and the lands of Thessalia). Many of the daughters and granddaughters of the king were loved by Zeus, and went on to found new kingdoms within this large domain.

1) HELLEN King of the Hellenes

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 49 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"The children of Deukalion and Pyrrha were, first, Hellen (whom some say Zeus sired)."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Sons of Jove [Zeus] . . . Hellen by Pyrrha, daughter of Epimetheus."

2) AITHLIOS King of Elis

Aithlios was a son of Deukalion's daughter Protogeneia or Aiolos' daughter Kalyke. He emigrated from Thessalia, founding the kingdom of Elis in the Peloponnese. See Elis (below).

3 - 4) MAGNES & MAKEDON Kings of Magnesia & Makedonia

Two sons of Zeus and Deukalion's daughter Thyia, they received the lands of Magnesia and Makedonia from their grandfather. See Makedonia (below).

5) GRAIKOS King of the Graikoi

Graikos was the son of Deukalion's daughter Pandora. He emigrated to Perrhaibia (in the region of Dodona) and founded a kingdom. See Epeiros-Perrhaibia (below).

FAMILY IN PHTHIOTIS, THESSALY (NORTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Eurymedousa, princess of Phthiotis; 2. Othreis, nymph.

FATHERED : 1. Myrmidon, king of Phthiotis; 2. Mileteus, lord of Melite.

1) MYRMIDON King of Phthiotis

For the MYTH of the seduction of Myrmidon's mother see Zeus Loves: Eurymedusa

2) MILETEUS Lord of Melite

For the MYTH of the seduction of Mileteos' mother see Zeus Loves: Othreis

FAMILY IN LAPITHAE, THESSALY (NORTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Dia, queen of the Lapithai.

FATHERED : 1. Peirithous, king of the Lapithai.

Plato, Republic 391c-d (trans. Shorey) (Greek philosopher C4th B.C.) :

"Theseus, the son of Poseidon, and Peirithous, the son of Zeus."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Sons of Jove [Zeus] . . . Pirithous by Dia, daughter of Deioneus."

FAMILY IN MAGNESIA & MACEDONIA (NORTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1 - 2. Thyia, princess of Thessalia; 3. Olympias (historical), queen of Makedonia.

FATHERED : 1. Magnes, king of Magnesia; 2. Makedon, king of Makedonia; 3. Alexandros the Great (historical), king of Makedonia.

1 - 2) MAGNES & MAKEDON Kings of Magnesia & Makedonia

Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 3 (from Constantinus Porphyrogenitu, de Them. 2. 48B) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :

"The district Makedonia took its name from Makedon the son of Zeus and Thyia, Deukalion's daughter, as Hesiod says : ‘And she conceived and bare to Zeus who delights in the thunderbolt two sons, Magnes and Makedon, rejoicing in horses, who dwell round about Pieria and Olympos.’"

FAMILY IN EPIRUS-PERRHAEBIA (NORTHERN GREECE)

LOVED : 1. Pandora, princess of Thessalia.

FATHERED : 1. Graikos, king of the Graikoi.

The Graikoi tribe lived in north-western Greece, in the vicinity of Dodona (their land was also known as Perrhaibia, see Map). Historically the Graikoi were the first Greek tribe conquered by the Romans who then applied the name to all of the Hellenes (Greeks).

Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 2 (from Ioannes Lydus (2), de Mens. i. 13) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :

"They came to call those who followed local manners Latins, but those who followed Hellenic customs Greeks, after the brothers Latinus and Graecus; as Hesiod says : ‘And in the palace Pandora the daughter of noble Deukalion was joined in love with father Zeus, leader of all the gods, and bare Graikos, staunch in battle.’"

FAMILY IN RHODES (GREEK AEGEAN)

LOVED : 1 - 3. Himalia, nymph.

FATHERED : 1 - 3. Spartaios, Kronios, Kytos, kings of Rhodes.

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 55. 4 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :

"And at this period in the eastern part of the island [of Rhodes] there sprung up the Gigantes, as they were called; and at the time when Zeus is said to have subdued the Titanes, he became enamoured of one of the Nymphai, Himalia by name, and begat by her three sons, Spartaios, Kronios, and Kytos."

FAMILY IN CRETE (GREEK AEGEAN)

Zeus and the birth of Athena, Athenian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., Metropolitan Museum of Art

LOVED : 1 - 3. Europa, princess of Phoinikia & Krete; 4. Karme, princess of Phoinikia & Krete; 5. Kassiopeia, Kretan lady.

FATHERED : 1. Minos, king of Krete; 2. Rhadamanthys, lawmaker of Krete; 3. Sarpedon, king of Lykia; 4. Britomartis, goddess nymph; 5. Atymnios, prince of Krete.

1 - 3) MINOS, RHADAMANTHYS & SARPEDON Kings & Princes of Krete

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 1. 1 (trans. Frazer) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Zeus bedded with her [Europa], and she bore Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamanthys; but according to Homer, Sarpedon was a son of Zeus by Laodamia, daughter of Bellerophon."

For the MYTH of the seduction of the mother of these three see Zeus Loves: Europa

For MORE information on these sons see MINOS & RHADAMANTHYS

4) BRITOMARTIS Goddess-Nymph of Krete

Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 40 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Kassiepeia, daughter of Arabios, and Phoinix, son of Agenor, had a daughter Karme [sister of Europa]. Zeus made love to her and fathered Britomartis who avoided the company of mankind and yearned to be a virgin for always. First she arrived in Argos from Phoinikia."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 30. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The daughter of Zeus and of Karme, the daughter of Eubulos, was Britomartis."

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 76. 3 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :

"Britomartis, who is also called Diktynna, the myths relate, was born at Kaino in Krete of Zeus and Karme, the daughter of Euboulos who was the son of Demeter; she invented the nets (diktya) which are used in hunting."

For MORE information on this goddess see BRITOMARTIS

5) ATYMNIOS Prince of Krete

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 1. 2 (trans. Frazer) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"When they [Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys] were grown up, they quarrelled with each other; for they loved a boy called Miletos, son of Apollon . . . But some say that they loved Atymnios, the son of Zeus and Kassiepeia, and that it was about him that they quarrelled."

FAMILY IN CYPRUS (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN)

LOVED : 1a. Aphrodite, goddess of love; 1b. Gaia, earth goddess.

FATHERED : 1. Kentauroi Kyprioi, centaurs.

For the MYTH of Zeus' attempted seduction of Aphrodite and the impregnation of Gaia see:

Zeus Loves: Aphrodite & Gaea

For MORE information on these Cyprian centaurs see KENTAUROI KYPRIOI

FAMILY IN THE TROAD & SAMOTHRACE (ANATOLIA & AEGEAN)

LOVED : 1 - 3. Elektra, Pleiad nymph; 4. Samothrakian Nymphe; 5. Ganymedes, prince of Troy.

FATHERED : 1 - 2. Iasion & Emathion, kings of Samothrake; 3. Dardanos, king of Dardania; 4. Saon, king of Samothrake.

1 - 3) IASION, EMATHION & DARDANOS Kings of Samothrake & the Troad

Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 21 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"The Pleiades are called seven in number . . . From Electra and Jove [Zeus], Dardanus was born."

For the MYTH of the seduction of the mother of these three see Zeus Loves: Electra

4) SAON King of Samothrake

Saon is probably just an alternative name for Iasion (above).

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 48. 1 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :

"One of the inhabitants of the island [of Samothrake], a certain Saon, who was a son, as some say, of Zeus and a Nymphe, but, according to others, of Hermes and Rhene, gathered into one body the peoples who were dwelling in scattered habitations and established laws for them."

5) LOVE GANYMEDES

For the MYTH of the abduction of the youth see GANYMEDES

FAMILY IN LYDIA (ANATOLIA)

LOVED : 1. Plouto, nymph; 2. Gaia, goddess of the earth.

FATHERED : 1. Tantalos, king of Lydia; 2. Manes, king of Lydia; 3. Akhilleus, Lydian lord.

1) TANTALOS King of Lydia

Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 36 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Tantalos, son of Zeus and Plouto."

Strabo, Geography 12. 8. 21 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :

"Aiskhylos (Aeschylus), in his Niobe . . . Niobe says that she will be mindful of the house of Tantalos, ‘those who have an altar of their paternal Zeus on the Idaian hill.'"

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 22. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"Tantalos . . . who legend says was a son of Zeus and Plouto."

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 47. 1 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :

"Tantalos was a son of Zeus, and he possessed surpassing wealth (ploutos) and renown."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 82 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Tantalus, son of Jove and Pluto."

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 :

"Sons of Jove [Zeus] . . . Tantalus by Pluto, daughter of Himas."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 1. 145 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :

"Zeus Kronides had hurried to Plouto's bed, to beget Tantalos, that mad robber of the heavenly cups; and he laid his celestial weapons well hidden with his lightning in a deep cavern . . . Then at a nod from his mother, Gaia the Earth, Kilikian Typhoeus stretched out his hands, and stole the snowy tools of Zeus, the tools of fire."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 48. 729 ff :

"The bride of Zeus Berekyntian Plouto [perhaps the goddess Kybele], so unhappy in the son Tantalos whom she bore."

Suidas s.v. Tantalou talanta talantizetai (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th A.D.) :

"Tantalos is said to be the son of Plouto and Zeus."

2) MANES King of Lydia

3) AKHEILOS Lydian Lord

Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History Book 6 (summary from Photius, Myriobiblon 190) (trans. Pearse) (Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D.) :

"It is said that there was born also a son of Zeus and the Lamia called Akhilleus; he was of an irresistable beauty and like others was the object of a competition. [He competed with the goddess Aphrodite who cursed him with ugliness.]"

FAMILY IN LYCIA (ANATOLIA)

LOVED : 2. Laodameia, princess of Lykia.

FATHERED : 1. Sarpedon, king of Lykia; 2. Sarpedon, king of Lykia.

1) SARPEDON I King of Lykia

The first Sarpedon emigrated to Lykia from the island of Krete. He was a son of Zeus and Europa. See Krete (above).

2) SARPEDON II King of Lykia

The second Lykian Sarpedon ruled the kingdom a the time of the Trojan War.

Homer, Iliad 6. 205 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :

"And the lady [a Lykian princess] bare to wise-hearted Bellerophon three children, Isandros and Hippolokhos and Laodameia. With Laodameia lay Zeus the counsellor, and she bare godlike Sarpedon, the warrior harnessed in bronze . . . and [Laodameia] was slain in wrath by Artemis of the golden reins."

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 1. 1 (trans.Frazer) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :

"Zeus bedded with her [Europa], and she bore Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamanthys; but according to Homer, Sarpedon was a son of Zeus by Laodamia, daughter of Bellerophon."

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca E3. 35 (trans Aldrich) :

"When nine years had gone by [of the Trojan War], Trojan allies appeared . . . from the Lykians came Sarpedon, son of Zeus."

FAMILY IN PONTUS - ASSYRIA (ANATOLIA)

LOVED : 1. Sinope, Naiad nymph.

For the MYTH of Zeus' attempted seduction of this nymph see Zeus Loves: Sinope

FAMILY IN TAURIC CHERSONESE (BLACK SEA)

FATHERED : 1. Kolaxes, Taurian lord.

FAMILY IN SCYTHIA (BLACK SEA)

LOVED : 1. Borysthenes' Daughter, princess of Skythia.

FATHERED : 1. Targitaus, king of Skythia.

Herodotus, Histories 4. 5. 1 (trans. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) :

"The Skythians say that their nation is the youngest in the world, and that it came into being in this way. A man whose name was Targitaüs appeared in this country, which was then desolate. They say that his parents were Zeus [or a Scythian god identified with Zeus] and a daughter of the Borysthenes river [the River Dnieper]. I do not believe the story, but it is told."

FAMILY IN PHOENICIA (WEST ASIA)

LOVED : 1. Europa, princess of Phoinikia; 2. Karme, princess of Phoinikia.

These two princesses were carried off by the god to the island of Krete, see Crete (above).

For the MYTH of the seduction of Europa see Zeus Loves: Europa

FAMILY IN EGYPT (NORTH AFRICA)

LOVED : 1. Io, Argive nymph.

FATHERED : 1. Epaphos, king of Aigyptos & Libya.

1) EPAPHOS King of Aigyptos & Libya

For the MYTH of the seduction of Epaphos' mother see Zeus Loves: Io

FAMILY IN LIBYA (NORTH AFRICA)

LOVED : 1. Lamia, queen of Libya; 2. Libys Nymph, nymph.

FATHERED : 1. Herophile, Libyan sibyl; 2. Iarbas, king of the Moors.

1) HEROPHILE Sibyl of Libya

Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 12. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :

"The former Sibylla [before Herophile] I find was as ancient as any; the Greeks say that she was a daughter of Zeus by Lamia, daughter of Poseidon, that she was the first woman to chant oracles, and that the name Sibylla was given her by the Libyans."

For the MYTH of the seduction of Herophile's mother see Zeus Loves: Lamia

2) IARBAS King of the Moors

Virgil, Aeneid 4. 198 ff (trans. Day-Lewis) (Roman epic C1st B.C.) :

"King Iarbas . . . him the god Ammon [a Libyan god identified with Zeus] got by forced embrace upon a Libyan nymph; his kingdoms wide possessed a hundred ample shrines to Jove [Libyan Ammon, Greek Zeus]."

FAMILY IN LATIUM (CENTRAL ITALY)

FATHERED : 1. Latinos, king of Latium.

Ioannes Lydus (John the Lydian), de Mens. i. 13 (trans. Evelyn-White, Hesiod Fragments) (Byzantine writer C6th A.D.) :

"They came to call those who followed local manners Latins, but those who followed Hellenic customs Greeks, after the brothers Latinus and Graecus; as Hesiod says : ‘And in the palace Pandora the daughter of noble Deukalion was joined in love with father Zeus, leader of all the gods, and bare Graikos, staunch in battle.’"

Heracles, Athena and Zeus, Athenian black-figure kylix C6th B.C., British Museum

SOURCES

GREEK

ROMAN

Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.

Hyginus, Astronomica - Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.

Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.

Ovid, Fasti - Latin Poetry C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.

Virgil, Aeneid - Latin Epic C1st B.C.

Cicero, De Natura Deorum - Latin Rhetoric C1st B.C.

BYZANTINE

Photius, Myriobiblon - Byzantine Greek Scholar C9th A.D.

Suidas, The Suda - Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.