Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, was notoriously unfaithful to his wife Hera. He fathered numerous children with both goddesses and mortal women.
Zeus's Infidelities: A List of Notable Affairs
Zeus's infidelity was a prominent theme in Greek mythology. He pursued numerous romantic interests outside his marriage to Hera. Some of his most famous affairs include:
- Metis: The mother of Athena. This affair is particularly significant as Zeus swallowed Metis whole to prevent a prophecy about a child overthrowing him.
- Alcmene: A mortal woman and the mother of Heracles (Hercules), one of the most famous heroes in Greek mythology.
- Danaë: Another mortal woman, and the mother of Perseus, another famed hero. This affair involved Zeus transforming himself into a shower of golden rain.
These are just a few examples; many other myths detail Zeus's numerous liaisons with both goddesses and mortal women. His infidelity is a recurring motif, highlighting his power and dominance, but also his flawed character.
The reference states: "Some of his most famous affairs include his relationship with Hera (his wife), as well as his affairs with goddesses such as Athena's mother Metis, and mortal women such as Alcmene (mother of Heracles) and Danaë (mother of Perseus)." This supports the numerous examples mentioned above.
