The Greek Lightning God More Powerful Than Zeus

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today’s video, we’re going to discuss Zagreus, the son of Zeus. He was destined to become the next king of the Cosmos, eventually replacing his father, this evidenced by Zeus seating Zagreus on his throne and arming him with lightning, the most powerful weapon in all of Greek mythology, Zeus having laid low countless foes with the searing destruction of his smoking bolts.

Zagreus is not a prominent figure in mainstream Greek mythology, and his existence is predominantly associated with Orphism, a religious movement that provided an alternative belief system in Ancient Greece. While some aspects of Zagreus' story occasionally overlap with traditional Greek myths, his importance is almost entirely exclusive to Orphic beliefs and texts.

First, we’re going to get into what Orphism is: when it started, why Orpheus is the primary prophet, and what the core beliefs are. Second, we’re going to explore the story of Zagreus: his birth, the lofty aspirations his father had for him, and his horrific death. And finally, we’re going to wrap the video up with the birth of Dionysus, the God Zagreus became after his heart was saved and used to impregnate a mortal woman.

Alright, let’s get into it.

Orphism is a religious movement and belief system that emerged in ancient Greece around the sixth century BC, offering its followers hope for salvation and the prospect of an afterlife that was more paradisiacal than the gloom of Hades’ realm. It is named after the mythical musician and poet Orpheus, who was said to have ventured into the underworld and returned to the mortal plane, thus piercing the veil and coming back changed, now endowed with profound knowledge about the spiritual essence of humans and the path to salvation. The Orphic teachings, which are preserved in fragments and referenced by ancient authors such as Plato, provide a unique perspective on the nature of the human soul and its relationship with the divine, emphasizing the need for inner transformation and purification in order to achieve spiritual liberation.

Watch the video for the rest!

[irmooflorien]

Please remember that research here is a bit shotty because Mycenaean Greece and the “greek” mythology we know are very different! Zeus wasn’t even present in tablets during Mycenaean Greek and neither was hades. Chthonic gods played a huge role in the pantheon ans Zagreus was more of a cult god of wildness and rebirth in the texts we DO have. He was also called an Orphic Dionysus. Please remember how mythology was fluid over those centuries and changed after the collapse of the Bronze Age!

[macwelch]

I’ve never heard of Zagreus before, awesome

[jamth]

Great video, great channel always enjoy your Greek mythology videos keep up the good work

[baronghede]

I love these mythology videos, Blessings from Alabama.

[charlesjunior]

Isn't Zagreus Zeus with extra letters?

[heraclito]

The Proto-Indo-European religion had two important figures: the Sky Father (the king of gods) and the thunder god. Greek and Roman mythology are an anomaly because the two are fused in Zeus/Jupiter. In contrast the Vedic religion had Diaus Pitar and Indra.
My take is that Zagreus was the original proto-Greek thunder god but was later absorbed into Zeus. His name survived but his attributes were significantly changed.

[Mr_Robotts]

I always wondered which titans were sent after Zagreus and were burnt to ash by Zeus, since over half the Titans were also free gods, like Mnemosyne, Oceanus, Tethys, etc... Was it the 4 corners? The 4 that held down Uranus for Kronus to castrate

[EthanKristopherHartley]

Wow, I didn't realise that he was an actual human deity as I know Zagreus from the Big Finish Doctor Who stories with Paul McGann. He's a Gallifreyan God/Spirit from before time and is pretty darned scary. But he has nothing to do with lightning. He also has his own rhyme that starts:

Zagreus sits inside your head,
Zagreus lives among the dead,
Zagreus sees you in your bed,
And eats you when you're sleeping.

It's interesting that they chose an existing deity's name for him - especially as he appears in a few stories as a major antagonist.

[WorldclassSyndicate]

This feels like a Gnostic version of Greek mythology. Pretty awesome!

[MbisonBalrog]

DC or Marvel needs a Zagreus Character

[FlyGuyLaFlare]

At this point, Hera just need to either accept the fact that Zeus is a DOG or just leave him😂😂

[mistrjt]

According to my video game, Zagreus is the son of Hades, King of the Underworld and a human woman. Zagreus fights through Hades with the support from his aunts, uncles and cousins—all of whom are gods. Hades is the best game ever. 🎮

[evolveordissolve]

Zeus and Hera NEED marriage counseling

[anthonyblakely]

This makes sense about Humanity even today. The Greeks were so wise.

[nitrokid]

No cap, Zagreus is a badass name. Definitely boss vibe.

[Ancaryvan]

True Greek version of Thor & Baulder. Also, Murder of Zagerous be the last straw why Zeus would never touch Hera.

[raguram]

Please put a video about zagreus vs metis unborn child

[scottnunnemaker]

People make the waste ages t connections. Orpheus’s story to me was about accepting a loss and grieving it fully. He’s this confident rockstar who even the gods can’t resist, he goes into the cave full of confidence that like past greek heroes he could go to the underworld and return with his love, failing to bring her back with him he was humbled enough to feel the grief of her loss.

[RichD]

The first time I heard of Orpheus was in the Sandman. His story is tragic 😢

[derrickhead]

zeus smashing all his creations and siblings and kids lmao!