Zeus Love Interest In Homer's Iliad

2.4 Zeus’ love affairs

In Greek myths, Zeus was regularly unfaithful to Hera, spiting the goddess. Even though Hera was queen of the gods, she could not wreak her anger on him, as he was the ruler of all. Therefore, she resorted to punish Zeus’ conquests and their children for her husband’s infidelity instead. Although Zeus does take measures to protect his lovers and children in some myths, he is often careless with their safety. This can be seen in Homer’s Iliad, when Zeus proudly proclaims the birth of his son Heracles, “Today Eileithyia, helper in childbirth, will bring to the light a man who shall rule over all that dwell around him, he shall be of the race that is of my blood” (Homer quoted by Fagels, Robert, Iliad 1998: Book XIX. 117-121).

Some of his mortal lovers are Europa, Io, Semele, Alcmene and the Trojan prince Ganymede. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and mother of Persephone, who is kidnapped by Hades. The god wants to marry her but knows that she would object to their union, so after asking Zeus for advice, he brings her to the Underworld. When Demeter discovers the heist, she mourns for the loss of her daughter, withering every plant on earth. To stop the plants’ wilting, Zeus attempts to retrieve the girl, but because she has eaten the seeds of a pomegranate Hades had given to her, Persephone cannot return. To appease Demeter, Zeus decrees for Persephone to spend the warmer months on earth and the colder months down in the Underworld (Homer quoted by Nagy, Gregory, Hymn II to Demeter (n.y.): 60-449).

Mnemosyne is the titan goddess of memory, who Zeus sleeps with for nine continuous days, leading to the birth of the nine Muses, who inspire artists and poets with their beauty and talents. The nine Muses are the ones who told the myths to mortals, singing praise of their father Zeus (Hesiod quoted by Evelyn-White, Hugh G., Theogony 2004:

One day, Zeus approaches Alcmene in the form of her husband, tricking her. On Heracles’ day of birth, Zeus proclaims that a child of his blood is to be born. Hera, hearing Zeus’ words, persuades him to swear an oath that the first child born to the royal family on that day is to be ruler over all those around him. When Zeus agrees, Hera sends Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, to Alcmene to prolong the pregnancy, while quickening the pregnancy of Niccipe, Alcmene’s sister in law. Thus, when Eurystheus is born before Heracles, Zeus’ oath applies to him instead of Heracles (Homer quoted by Fagels, Robert, Iliad 1998: Book XIX. 112-157).

Ganymede is a Trojan prince who is abducted by Zeus to be his lover as well as cupbearer of the gods. To compensate Ganymede’s father for the loss of his son, Zeus sends him beautiful horses that are delivered by Hermes himself. Tros, the father of Ganymede, is glad that his son is to become immortal and cupbearer of the gods (Homer quoted by Fagels, Robert, Iliad 1998: Book XX.