In Greek mythology, chief of the gods (Roman
Jupiter). He was the son of Kronos, whom he
overthrew; his brothers included Hades and
Poseidon, his sisters Demeter and Hera. As
the supreme god he dispensed good and evil
and was the father and ruler of all
humankind. His emblems are the thunderbolt
and aegis (shield), representing the thunder
cloud. He ate his pregnant first wife Metis
(goddess of wisdom), fearing their child
(Athena) would be greater than himself. His
second wife was Hera, but he also fathered
children by other women and goddesses. The
offspring, either gods and goddesses or
godlike humans, included Apollo, Artemis,
Castor and Polydeuces/Pollux, Dionysus, Hebe,
Heracles, Hermes, Minos, Perseus, and
Persephone.