Zeus was the son of Cronus, a Titan who ruled before him. Zeus overthrew his father's rule over the Heavens along with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades. Afterwards, they drew straws to divide the World between them. Zeus took over the Sky and Land, Poseiden resided over the Seas, and Hades was left to rule the Underworld of Tartarus. Neither Poseidon nor Hades would argue with Zeus over this, for they feared his mighty Thunderbolt.
Zeus then became the ultimate ruler of Everything. He built a Palace on Mount Olympus, where the Gods and Goddesses lived, and hence, they were called the Olympians.
The mighty Zeus had many wonderful powers. His most fearsome weapon was his Thunderbolt. When Zeus would become furious with mortal, he would yell with rage as he threw his horrible Thunderbolt from the Heavens onto the Land. Some say that the sounds of thunder today are actually the angry yells of Zeus himself. Zeus also had the power to change his form and size. Many times he would use this wonderful power to disguise himself among the mortals, often to seek beautiful mortal women.
As the King of the Gods, Zeus had the largest throne in the Palace. It was made of fine black Egyptian marble, with gold decorated all over it. There were seven steps to reach it, each of a color of the rainbow. He had a mighty Eagle statue, which was his emblem, with ruby eyes and strips of tin in its beak, perched on the the right arm of the throne. It symbolized Zeus' power to kill any mortal he wished. There was a purple ram fleece on the seat, which Zeus could use to make rain in times of drought.
Zeus was married to Hera, the Queen Goddess, who he had tricked into marriage.