{"id":795,"date":"2018-06-10T19:52:06","date_gmt":"2018-06-10T18:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/?post_type=gods&p=795"},"modified":"2024-02-20T11:00:53","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T11:00:53","slug":"zelus","status":"publish","type":"gods","link":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/gods\/zelus\/","title":{"rendered":"Zelus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lesser Deity of Rivalry, Envy and Dedication – The Personification of Zeal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Zelus, also known as Zelos, was a lesser deity in Greek mythology. His parents were Titans Pallas<\/a> and Styx<\/a>. He had three siblings, Kratos<\/a> (strength), Nike<\/a> (victory), and Bia<\/a> (force). These siblings are all usually depicted with wings and were the protectors that stood guard around Zeus\u2019 throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelus was known for his qualities of, dedication, envy, emulation, eager rivalry, jealousy, and zeal. In fact, the word zeal is derived from his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is said that Zelus may have been associated with Agon, who was the spirit of contest and was regarded with deep love at Olympia. He was also described as being similar to Phthonos the spirit of romantic jealousy and was closely associated with Eris<\/a>, the driving force of competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"zelus-greek-god\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Zelus and His Siblings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Zelus\u2019 siblings were close friends of Zeus<\/a>. Zeus was the dominant deity of the Greek temple to all the gods. Later, in classical mythology, Styx was said to have brought Zelus\u2019 siblings to Zeus at the time he was gathering allies for the Titan War against the elder deities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nike would take on the role of the divine charioteer. This is the role she represents in Classical Greek art. Nike would fly around the battlefields providing the victors with fame and glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelus\u2019 brother Kratos was the god of strength, power, might, and sovereign rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bia was the representation of force. When war broke out between the Olympians and the Titans<\/a>, Bia and her brothers and sisters sided with Zeus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With their wings, Zelus and his siblings were angel-like beings surrounding and guarding the heavenly throne of Zeus. For their dedication in battle, Zeus would honor all of Zelus\u2019 siblings with his constant companionship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Myths Including Zelus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While Zelus might not be as prominently featured in myths as some of the other Greek gods, his presence and attributes play a crucial role in the divine hierarchy surrounding Zeus. Zelus, embodying zeal and rivalry, was instrumental in the cosmic order maintained by the Olympians. His spirit of competition and dedication was a driving force behind the scenes. Along with his syblings, they ensured that the principles they, and the Olympians stood for were woven into the fabric of life of heroes and mortals alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One could imagine Zelus’s influence in the tales of heroic challenges and contests. Where his spirit of rivalry and zeal pushed characters to their limits. Although specific myths directly involving this minor god are scarce, his essence can be felt in the competitive nature of the Olympic Games. Athletes competed in games not just for physical prowess but for the favor of the gods, embodying Zelus’s attributes of dedication and eager rivalry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Facts about Zelus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Zelus, along with his siblings, served as a guardian of Zeus’s throne, symbolizing his role as a protector of divine authority and order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The modern term “zeal” is derived from Zelus’s name, reflecting his association with passion, dedication, and enthusiasm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Like his siblings, he was depicted as having wings.\u00a0a\u00a0feature that highlights his celestial nature and ability to swiftly enforce Zeus’s will.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Zelus was born to the Titans<\/a> Pallas and Styx. Placing him within a family deeply intertwined with the ancient cosmic battles and the establishment of Zeus’s rule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Zelus stood firmly by Zeus during the Titanomachy<\/a>, the war against the Titans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Zelus’s spirit is closely linked to the competitive aspects of Greek society. Particularly the Olympic Games and the concept of agon (contest).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Lesser Deity of Rivalry, Envy and Dedication – The Personification of Zeal Zelus, also known as Zelos, was a lesser deity in Greek mythology. His parents were Titans Pallas and Styx. He had three siblings, Kratos (strength), Nike (victory), and Bia (force). These siblings are all usually depicted with wings and were the protectors that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":797,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gods\/795"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gods"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/gods"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=795"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gods\/795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5033,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/gods\/795\/revisions\/5033"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greekgodsandgoddesses.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}