10 Fascinating Facts about Zelus The God of Competition

There are so many facts about the Greek God of Competition, Zelus.

This article will give you a deep insight into who this fascinating deity is and what his significance is to the modern world. Zelus was one of the Olympian deities, the personification of competition, victory and defeat.

He was also one of the Erinyes, or Furies, a group of goddesses in Greek mythology who specialised in vengeance against those who offended them by harming their families.

According to tradition, Zelus was also a son or grandson of Zeus or Hermes respectively. As such he got his position among the Olympians as well as among the Erinyes because he embodied qualities that were useful for both groups of divine beings.

What is the Meaning of Zelus?

The Latin name for competition is ludus, derived from the Greek verb ludere, to play. The most common Greek word for competition is ludo. However, it is also possible to use the word agon (gā′gən).

When people use the word competition, they are using a derivative of ludus. Competition brings people together, while ludus is purely social.

It is interesting to note that competition and ludus/agon are the same word but they mean two different things.

Zelus and the Olympic Games

The Greek God of Competition was prominent during the Olympic Games, which were instituted in honour of Zeus by Phegeus, king of the city of Thebes.

This annual event was held to commemorate Zeus’ victory in the battles between the gods and the Titans. Each city-state that wanted to host the Olympic Games had to send a delegation to Olympia, and each delegation had to bring a sacrificial animal to be sacrificed and its meat distributed to the public.

After many years of hosting the Games, the Olympic Games came to an end. The Romans would later take over the Games and make them a much more popular and important part of Roman life. However, the original Olympic Games were all about competition and victory.

Zelus and the Underworld

The Greek God of Competition was involved in Hades’ battle against Pluto, the ruler of the underworld. Pluto wanted to punish those who had offended him so he ordered Orcus to send the Erinyes, the Furies, to punish the guilty people.

The Erinyes were the goddesses of vengeance and retribution. They were known for their destructive power, capable of inflicting pain, suffering and death on people. Zelus was one of the Erinyes and so it is believed that he was sent to the Underworld to bring Hades to battle against Pluto.

Zelus and Other Mythological Beings

Dog, bull, elephant and a variety of other animals have been associated with the Greek God of Competition. According to the myth, Zeus and Hera had a very competitive relationship and they often engaged in competitions.

When Hera caught wind of this Zeus’ affair, she went to Zeus’ brother Hephaestus, and asked him to build her a set of golden scales to check his cheating. Zeus was furious when he saw his cheating wife and rashly decided to make her a goddess.

Why is Zelus So Important?

The Greek God of Competition is a fascinating deity and his importance to the modern world primarily comes from his association with the Olympic Games. However, he is also known for his associations with the underworld, animals and the underworld.

He is also a key figure in the Olympian pantheon and his battle with Pluto in the underworld is a key event in Greek mythology.

Therefore, if you are interested in the modern significance of Greek mythology, then you should read more about the Greek God of Competition, Zelus.

Symbolism in the Mythology

Zelus is often depicted with a key, which is a reference to his Underworld association. He is also often depicted with a sword and shield, which are references to his Olympian and Underworld associations.

His helmet is also significant because it was a symbol of victory. The helmet symbolically represents the victory that is won by the contestant wearing it. Another important aspect of Zelus’ symbolism is his connection with the key.

Zelos and Strife

In addition to the Greek God of Competition being associated with the Olympian gods and the Underworld, he was also associated with strife. His association with strife comes from the myth in which he was sent by Zeus to fight against Hades in the underworld.

Hades was trying to claim Zeus’ wife Hera, who was Zeus’ sister. Zeus was afraid that Hades would win and so he sent his favourite son, Zelus, to fight against him. When Zelus arrived in the underworld, he was met by Hades and they engaged in a fierce battle.

The outcome of this battle was not clear, so Zeus sent a messenger to Hades, asking him to ask Hades who won the battle. When the messenger arrived at Hades’ gates, he was greeted by the Erinyes, the Furies, who prevented him from entering Hades’ domain.

The messenger was told to go back to Zeus and tell him that Hades had refused to talk.

Zelus and the Other Furies

The Greek God of Competition has another important association, that with the other Furies, the Erinyes. The Furies were a group of goddesses in Greek mythology who specialised in vengeance against those who offended them by harming their families.

Zelus was associated with the Erinyes because he was associated with competition. The Furies were often depicted with snakes, which is significant because snakes are often associated with punishment and the underworld.

How to Worship Zelus

To worship the Greek God of Competition, you should engage in what is known as competitive behaviour.

Competitive behaviour is the act of trying to win or beat someone else in a given situation or competition. If you are interested in engaging in competitive behaviour, then you should try to win or beat your opponents in any situation.

You should also try to be the best or win at everything you do. Another way to worship the Greek God of Competition is to engage in any kind of competition.

The best way to worship Zelus is to compete against others and try to win.

Other Interesting facts about Zelus

The Latin word for competition is ludus, derived from the Greek word ludus, which means game.

The Greek God of Competition is associated with dogs, bulls, elephants and a variety of other animals.

Zelus was also known by other names such as ZELEUS, ZELEUS and GELÏUS.

The Greek God of Competition is commonly depicted as wearing a helmet with a key on it.

The Greek God of Competition was also associated with bull-leaping and mousike, or musical dance.