Learn about the origins of the Olympians and Titans, including bad parents, mythical creatures, and baby-eating. Discover the battle for control of heaven and Earth, Cronus' tyrannical actions, and Zeus' upbringing on Crete.
The Titans were the first beings in Greek mythology, ruling over the heavens and earth until they were overthrown by the Olympians.
Zeus, with the help of his siblings and allies, engaged in a ten-year battle against the Titans and eventually emerged victorious, becoming the king of the gods.
Deep dives
The Titans and the Birth of the Gods
In Greek mythology, the Titans were the first beings, born from chaos. Uranus and Gaia were their king and queen, ruling over the heavens and earth. Uranus locked up the Cyclopes and the Hekatonkheires, angering Gaia. Gaia convinced her youngest son, Cronus, to challenge Uranus. Cronus wounded Uranus with a magic scythe, separating the earth and sky. From the blood, new beings were born. Cronus became king of the Titans and ruled with fear, swallowing his own children. However, his wife, Rhea, tricked him and saved their sixth child, Zeus.
Zeus' Plan to Overthrow Cronus
Zeus, raised in secrecy on the island of Crete, grew determined to overthrow Cronus. With the help of the Titaness Metis, Zeus became a servant in Cronus' palace and served him a potion that made Cronus sick. He expelled Zeus' siblings, who were full-grown, giving them the opportunity to escape. Zeus and his siblings, along with the Hekatonkheires and Cyclopes, formed an alliance. Zeus received weapons from the Cyclopes and prepared for battle.
The War of the Titans and the Rise of the Olympians
The Olympians, led by Zeus, engaged in a ten-year battle against the Titans. The war took place in Thessaly. Zeus used his thunderbolt, Poseidon his trident, and Hades his magic helmet. The Hekatonkheires fought ferociously, and the Cyclopes aided the Olympians. Despite the Titans' might and enchanted weapons, Zeus managed to defeat Cronus, aided by Prometheus and Epimetheus. After the victory, the Olympians imprisoned the Titans and decided their own roles. Zeus became the king of the gods, ruling from Mount Olympus.
Oh Muses! In this episode we tell the tale of how the Olympians came to power. We come across some pretty bad parents, people with too many arms, primordial beings with anatomical names, and lots of baby-eating.
National Geographic Kids Greeking Out is a kid-friendly retelling of some of the best stories from Greek Mythology. Check out bit.ly/ZeusOut to meet Zeus the Hamster and his friends-Athena the Cat, Ares the Pug, Demeter the grasshopper, and many more-who also listen to the Greeking Out podcast. Watch a video, read an excerpt, or check out the truth behind the stories!