deities

Jupiter, also known as Jove, is the most important god of Roman mythology, who was the king of the pantheon, being the god of the sky, lighting and the Roman state, who was often merged with the Greek god Zeus.

Overview

Jove was the youngest son of the old god Saturn, and the only not swallowed by his father. His mother, Ops, managed to hide him away at the island of Crete, where he was raised in secret. Eventually he would liberate his five devoured siblings, Neptune, Pluto, Juno, Ceres and Vesta, and together they dethroned Saturn.

Jupiter would then divide the world with his two brothers, Neptune and Pluto, by pulling straws: Jove would rule over the sky, Neptune the sea and Pluto the Underworld. Jove also later defeated the monstrous Typhon, who tried to conquer Mount Olympus, and the giants who tried to take the gods dwelling as well.

He would then go on to marry his sister Juno, and be the father of Mars, Vulcan, Bellona, and Juventas, but he also had many affairs with other goddesses and mortal women. Some include: Apollo, Diana, Minerva, Mercury, Bacchus and Hercules.

Jupiter played a principal role in the founding of the Roman state: He showed favour to Troy during the Trojan War, but was pressured by the other gods, notably Minerva and Juno, to allows it's destruction. Despite it he declared that Aeneas, one of the few Trojan heroes that survived and ancestor to Rome's founders Romulus and Remus, would sail to Italy set the foundations for Rome. He would also later negotiate with King Numa Pompilius (Romulus's successor) about the establishment of the Roman religions and it's sacrifices.

With the rise of Christianity Jupiter and his worship, as well that of all other gods, was demonised. He was notably mentioned in the Book of Acts of the New Testament, where the Christian apostle Barnabas was mistaken for the god. Saint Augustine of Hippo refers to Jove as an "adulterer" in his book The City of God.

In John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost list Jupiter as one of the rebels angels, alongside Beelzebub, Mammon, Moloch, Chemosh, Baal, Astarte, Tammuz, Dagon, Rimmon, Osiris, Isis, Orus, Belial, Mulciber, and Azazel.

Children of Jupiter

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