110 THE MYTHS OF CREATION: THE GODS
Zeus, Ganymede, and Hestia. Red-figure cup by Oltos, ca. 520 B.c.; height 83 / 4 in., diameter
2OV2 in. In the assembly of the Olympians Hestia sits opposite Zeus, holding the thun-
derbolt in his left hand and a phiale (ritual dish for libations) in his right hand, who is
being served by Ganymede. She is crowned and holds a branch in her right hand and a
flower in her left hand. Behind her, on the right, are Aphrodite and Ares and, on the left
behind Zeus, Athena and Hermes. (Tarquinia, Museo Nazionale.)revered and beloved Hestia, be kind and help me. Come and inhabit beautiful
homes, in loving harmony. For since you both know the splendid achievements
of mortals on earth, follow in attendance with intelligence and beauty.
Hail, daughter of Cronus, you and Hermes, bearer of a golden staff; yet I
shall remember you both and another song too.THE DIVERSE CHARACTER OF ZEUS
Zeus is an amorous god; he mates with countless goddesses and mortal women,
and his offspring are legion. Most genealogies demanded the glory and authority
of the supreme god himself as their ultimate progenitor. Along with this neces-
sity emerged the character of a Zeus conceived and readily developed by what
might be called a popular mythology. This Zeus belonged to a monogamous so-
ciety in which the male was dominant; however moral the basic outlook, the
standards for the man were different from those for the woman. Illicit affairs
were possible and even, if not officially sanctioned, were at least condoned for
men, but under no circumstances tolerated for women. Thus Zeus is the glori-
fied image not only of the husband and father, but also of the lover. The gamut
of Zeus' conquests will provide a recurrent theme.
As the picture evolves, Zeus' behavior may be depicted as amoral or im-
moral or merely a joke—the supreme god can stand above conventional stan-
dards. At other times he will act in harmony with them, and more than once he