Epithets of Zeus


The numerous epithets of Zeus indicate the diversity of the god's functions and roles. Over one thousand of Zeus's epithets survive in literary and epigraphic sources.
A number of these epithets were used in cult, while others appear only in literature. Some epicleses were Panhellenic, while others were of local significance and derived from particular locations of worship. Others still contained references to aspects of ritual activity.

Local variation

Popular conceptions of Zeus differed widely from place to place. Local varieties of Zeus often have little in common with each other except the name. They exercised different areas of authority and were worshiped in different ways; for example, some local cults conceived of Zeus as a chthonic earth-god rather than a god of the sky. These local divinities were gradually consolidated, via conquest and religious syncretism, with the Homeric conception of Zeus. Local or idiosyncratic versions of Zeus were given epithets surnames or titles which distinguish different conceptions of the god.

List

A

  • Abrettenus or Abretanus: surname of Zeus in Mysia
  • Achad: one of his names in Syria.
  • Acraeus : his name at Smyrna. Acraea and Acraeus are also attributes given to various goddesses and gods whose temples were situated upon hills, such as Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Pallas, Artemis, and others
  • Acrettenus: his name in Mysia.
  • Adad: one of his names in Syria.
  • Adados: A Hellenization of the Canaanite Hadad and Assyrian Adad, particularly his solar cult at Heliopolis
  • Adultus: from his being invoked by adults, on their marriage.
  • Aegiduchos or Aegiochos : Usually taken as Zeus as the bearer of the Aegis, the divine shield with the head of Medusa across it, although others derive it from "goat" and okhē in reference to Zeus's nurse, the divine goat Amalthea.Aeneius or Aenesios, was worshipped in Cephalonia, where he had a temple on Mount Ainos.
  • Aethiops, meaning the glowing or the black. He was worshipped in Chios.
  • Aetnaeus, due to the Mount Etna. There was a statue of Zeus and a festival was celebrated there.
  • Agamemnon, was worshipped at Sparta. Eustathius believes that the epithet is because of the resemblance between Zeus and Agamemnon, while others believe that it signifying the Eternal, from ἀγὰν and μένων.
  • Agetor, leader and ruler of men.
  • Agonius, helper in struggles and contests.
  • Agoreus, of the market/agora
  • Aleios, from "Helios" and perhaps connected to water as well.
  • Alexicacus, the averter of evil.
  • Amboulios or Latinized Ambulius
  • Apemius : Zeus as the averter of ills
  • Apesantius : of mount Apesas.
  • Apomyius : Zeus as one who dispels flies
  • Aphesios
  • Areius : either "warlike" or "the atoning one".
  • Argikeravnos.Asbamaeus : Zeus as a god of oaths
  • Astrapios : Zeus as a weather god
  • Atabyrius : he was worshipped in Rhodes and took his name from the Mount Atabyrus on the island
  • Athous, derived from Mount Athos, on which the god had a temple.
  • Aithrios.
  • Aitherios.

B

C

  • Cenaean : a surname of Zeus, derived from cape CenaeumChrysaoreus
  • Chthonios
  • '''Cronides'''

D

E

G

  • Genetaeus, derived from Cape Genetus on the Euxine.
  • Genethlios.
  • Zeus Georgos : Zeus as god of crops and the harvest, worshipped in Athens

H

  • Hecalesius, a festival named Hecalesia was celebrated at Athens in honour of Zeus Hecalesius and Hecale.
  • Zeus Helioupolites : A Hellenization of the Canaanite Baʿal worshipped as a sun god at Heliopolis in Lebanon
  • Herkeios or Latinized Herceius
  • Hetareios : According to the Suda, Zeus was called this among the Cretans.
  • Hikesios or Latinized Hicesius
  • Homagyrius, he had a sanctuary at Aegium. According to tradition, he was given this surname because Agamemnon assembled the most eminent men of Greece there to consult on how to wage the Trojan War.
  • Horios.
  • Horkios : Zeus as keeper of oaths. Pausanias writes that at Olympia, in the Council Chamber, there was a statue of Zeus Horkios which was the most fearsome to wrongdoers, holding thunderbolts in both hands. Athletes, along with their families and trainers, swore oaths on slices of boar’s flesh to compete fairly and adhere to training rules. Officials who judged the races also swore to be honest and keep all information confidential. A bronze plate inscribed with warning verses stood before the statue, intended to intimidate anyone who might break their oath.
  • Homognios
  • Hyetios
  • Hypatos, was an epithet and surname of Zeus. There was an altar dedicated to him in Athens, in front of the Erechtheium, where it was forbidden to sacrifice anything alive or pour libations, offerings were limited to cakes. He was also worshipped in Sparta and near Glisas in Boeotia.
  • Hyperdexios, from the village Hyperdexion.
  • Hypsibremetes.
  • '''Hypsistos'''

I

K

L

M

N

O

  • Olympios : Zeus as king of the gods and patron of the Panhellenic Games at Olympia
  • Ombrios
  • Ouranios.
  • Ourios. Ancient writers wrote about a sanctuary at the opening of the Black Sea dedicated to the Zeus Ourios. In addition, on the island of Delos a dedication to Zeus Ourios was found. The dedication was made by a citizen of Ascalon, named Damon son of Demetrius, who escaped from pirates.
  • Osogoa, the Carian name of Zeus at Mylasa. There was a sanctuary of him in the city.

P

Palaimnios Panamaros : there was an important sanctuary of Zeus Panamaros at the city of Panamara in CariaPanhellenius : worshipped at Aeacus's temple on AeginaPankrates
  • Panomphaeus.Patrios Pelorios, sacrifices were offered to Zeus Pelorios, during the Thessalian festival of Peloria.Phratrios, as patron of a phratryPhilios or Latinized PhiliusPhyxios or Latinized PhyxiusPistios or Latinized PistiusPlousios or Latinized PlusiusPolieus.

S

T

X

Xenios or Latinized Xenius: Zeus as the patron of hospitality and guests, avenger of wrongs done to strangers

Z

Zygius : As the presider over marriage. His wife Hera had also the epithet Zygia. These epithets describing them as presiding over marriage.