End of a Line: How Zeus is The Logic Conclusion to The Succession Myth

Introduction

In Hesiod’s Theogony, a chronology is presented in which multiple generations hold the position of “king of the universe.” Ouranos, his son Kronos, and his son Zeus all hold this coveted position at different times. While Ouranos and Kronos both meet an untimely end at the hands of their sons, Zeus does not share the same fate. In The Theogony, there is a passage that illustrates why Zeus remains the ruler. Lines 485 to 506 demonstrate how Zeus was favored by Gaia, was both the first and last born, and possessed the wisdom and guidance to free the Cyclopes from their bondage. These events position Zeus as the logical conclusion to the succession myth (Hesiod, 8th century BCE).

Gaia's Favor

In the passage, Gaia takes notice and favor of Zeus. She takes him from his mother Rhea and guides him as he grows to trick his father. Swiftly, the strength and noble limbs of the future lord grow; at the end of a year, tricked by the clever advice of Earth, great crooked-minded Cronus throws up his children. Zeus, over the period of a year, returns to save his siblings, the other Olympians, from remaining in their father’s stomach. During this time, Gaia acts as his guiding figure. Gaia’s will is the will of the Earth, as she embodies the Earth itself. In later passages, it is noted that the gods willed Zeus to rule over them forever by Gaia’s advice, strengthening her actions in this passage (Hesiod, 8th century BCE).

The Significance of Birth Order

Within the succession myth and Greek culture, the positions of the first and last born sons are significant. Kronos, as the last born, is the only one of his Titan siblings willing to castrate his father and become the next ruler. Zeus, however, is both first and last born. He is the last-born from his mother, hidden away and replaced with a rock for Kronos to eat instead. "Rhea wrapped a huge stone in a baby’s robe, and fed it to Sky’s wide-ruling son, lord of the earlier gods" (Hesiod, 8th century BCE). He is also technically the first-born as the rock his father ate instead of him is vomited first before any of his siblings. “First he vomited up the stone he swallowed last” (Hesiod, 8th century BCE). Zeus holds an important position among the Olympians, taking on the significance of both roles.

Wisdom and Foresight

Zeus displays wisdom that his father and grandfather did not, particularly in freeing his uncles, the Cyclopes. The Cyclopes, children of Ouranos and Gaia, were forced back into Gaia’s womb by Ouranos, sparking the succession myth. Kronos did nothing to free or help them, leaving them trapped. Zeus, however, had the foresight to free them, a vital task for the future. The Cyclopes crafted and gifted Zeus his lightning bolt, one of his most recognizable symbols and an instrument of his power. “They did not forget gratitude for his help, / and gave him thunder and fiery lightning-bolt / and lightning, which vast Earth earlier had hidden” (Hesiod, 8th century BCE). This symbol is crucial for Zeus’s identity and power.

Conclusion

Examining lines 485 to 506 in Hesiod’s Theogony, it is evident that Zeus is the only logical conclusion to the succession myth. The details of Zeus’ upbringing, his favor with Gaia, his unique birth order, and his wisdom and foresight as a leader establish him as the rightful leader among the gods. Thus, the succession myth concludes with him. He avoids the fate of his predecessors and remains forever the ruler of the universe (Hesiod, 8th century BCE).

References

Hesiod. (8th century BCE). Theogony. In Ancient Greek literature.