THE BIG THREE- Zeus, Poseidon & Hades

“A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart.”- Zeus

Zeus, Poseidon, Hades

The Big Three are the three most powerful gods among the Olympians - Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, the three sons of Kronos and Rhea. While the Big Three gods are the strongest, Zeus is stated to be the most powerful amongst his brothers on multiple occasions. After they had defeated their father with the help of their sisters (Hestia, Demeter and Hera), the Elder Cyclopes and the Hekatonkheires, the three brothers divided the universe between themselves and then drew lots to determine their domains: Zeus received the sky, the heavens, and authority over Mount Olympus, he commands the sky, lightning, kingship, honor, light (Roman form), and summon any weather conditions. Poseidon received the seas, he can manipulate water, storms, and earthquakes. Hades received the Underworld, he has dominion over the dead and undead, darkness, earth-related disasters, and metals and jewels.

The Earth is split between the three and doesn't belong to any one of them, as all three hold various influences over it and the mortals. Although the Big Three are the most powerful of the gods due to being rulers of their own realms, the other gods aren't to be underestimated, as they all possess great powers.

Zeus overthrew his Father Cronus. He then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera (goddess of marriage) but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths. Children of Zeus- Ares, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Hermes, Heracles, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus. Heracles (Demigod)- son of Zeus (king of the gods) and Alcmene, a mortal woman. He is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures.

After the overthrow of their Father Kronos, Poseidon drew lots with Zeus and Hades, another brother, for shares of the world. His prize was to become lord of the sea. He was widely worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titan Oceanus. At one point he desired Demeter. To put him off Demeter asked him to make the most beautiful animal that the world had ever seen. So, to impress her Poseidon created the first horse. In some accounts his first attempts were unsuccessful and created a variety of other animals in his quest. By the time the horse was created his passion for Demeter had cooled. Poseidon’s weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, and shatter any object. He is second only to Zeus in power amongst the gods. He has a difficult quarrelsome personality. He was greedy. He had a series of disputes with other gods when he tried to take over their cities. In the Roman myths he was named Neptune.

Hades had the worst draw and was made lord of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead are seen favorably. He is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects leave. He is married to Persephone, daughter of Demeter. Hades actually kidnapped her and dragged her down to the underworld against her will. He forced Persephone into marrying him. His weapon is a pitch fork, which can also cause earthquakes. He also has the helm of darkness.

He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet that makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. He is unpitying and terrible, but not capricious. He is the god of the dead but Thanatos is the god of death.

The concepts of good versus evil, anxiety, vanity, greed, love and fear were all as prominent then as they are now. These stories carry great lessons on how to look at life because they are based on things that most of us can relate to.