The numerous epithets of Zeus (titles which are applied to his name) indicate the diversity of the god's functions and roles. Over one thousand of Zeus's epithets survive in literary and epigraphic sources.Henrichs and Bäbler, "II. Epicleses and sphere of influence", para. 1.
A number of these epithets (called epicleses)On epicleses and how they are distinguished from epithets, see Belayche and Prost, p. 211. were used in cult, while others appear only in literature.Rose and Hornblower, para. 1. Some epicleses were Panhellenic, while others were of local significance and derived from particular locations of worship. Others still contained references to aspects of ritual activity.Henrichs and Bäbler, "II. Epicleses and sphere of influence", paras. 2–4.
Local variation
Popular conceptions of Zeus differed widely from place to place. Local varieties of Zeus often have little in common with each other except the name. They exercised different areas of authority and were worshiped in different ways; for example, some local cults conceived of Zeus as a chthonic earth-god rather than a god of the sky. These local divinities were gradually consolidated, via conquest and religious syncretism, with the Homeric conception of Zeus. Local or idiosyncratic versions of Zeus were given epithets surnames or titles which distinguish different conceptions of the god.
List
A Abrettenus (Ἀβρεττηνός) or Abretanus: surname of Zeus in MysiaStrab. xii. p. 574 Achad: one of his names in Syria. Acraeus (Ακραίος; "of the Height"):Pride of Halikarnassos verse inscription, 5 his name at Smyrna. Acraea and Acraeus are also attributes given to various goddesses and gods whose temples were situated upon hills, such as Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Pallas, Artemis, and others Acrettenus: his name in Mysia. Adad: one of his names in Syria. Adados: A Hellenization of the Canaanite Hadad and Assyrian Adad, particularly his solar cult at Heliopolis. Adultus: from his being invoked by adults, on their marriage. Aegiduchos (Αἰγιδούχος) or Aegiochos (Αἰγίοχος): Usually taken as Zeus as the bearer of the Aegis, the divine shield with the head of Medusa across it,Homer, Iliad 1.202, 2.157, 2.375; Pindar, Isthmian Odes 4.99; Hyginus, De astronomia 2.13.7. although others derive it from "goat" () and okhē () in reference to Zeus's nurse, the divine goat Amalthea.Spanh. ad Callim. hymn. in Jov, 49 Aeneius (Αἰνήιος) or Aenesios ( Αἰνήσιος), was worshipped in Cephalonia, where he had a temple on Mount Ainos. Aethiops (Αἰθίοψ), meaning the glowing or the black. He was worshipped in Chios. Aetnaeus (Αἰτναῖος), due to the Mount Etna. There was a statue of Zeus and a festival was celebrated there. Agamemnon (Ἀγαμέμνων), was worshipped at Sparta. Eustathius believes that the epithet is because of the resemblance between Zeus and Agamemnon, while others believe that it signifying the Eternal, from ἀγὰν and μένων. Agetor (Ἀγήτωρ), leader and ruler of men.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Agetor Agonius (Ἀγώνιος), helper in struggles and contests.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Agonius Agoreus (Ἀγοραίος), of the market/agoraPausanias, Description of Greece, 9.25.4 Aleios (Ἄλειος), from "Helios" and perhaps connected to water as well. Alexicacus (Ἀλεξίκακος), the averter of evil.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Alexicacus Amboulios (Αμβουλιος, "Counsellor") or Latinized Ambulius Apemius (Apemios, Απημιος): Zeus as the averter of ills Apesantius (Ἀπεσάντιος): of mount Apesas.Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), Apesas Apomyius (Απομυιος): Zeus as one who dispels flies Aphesios (Αφεσιος; "Releasing (Rain)") Areius (Αρειος): either "warlike" or "the atoning one". Argikeravnos (ἀργικέραυνος; "of the flashing bolt"). Asbamaeus (Ἀσβαμαῖος): Zeus as a god of oaths Astrapios (ἀστραπαῖός; "Lightninger"): Zeus as a weather god Atabyrius (Ἀταβύριος): he was worshipped in Rhodes and took his name from the Mount Atabyrus on the island Athous (Αθώος), derived from Mount Athos, on which the god had a temple.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Atho'us Aithrios (Αἴθριος, "of the Clear Sky"). Aitherios (Αἰθέριος, "of Aether").
B Basileus (Βασιλευς, "King, Chief, Ruler") Belos (Βῆλος): Syncretization of Zeus with the Babylonian god Marduk mentioned in Herodotus’s Histories.Book 1, chapter 181 "Belos" comes from Marduk’s title of Bel meaning "lord" or "master" in Akkadian. Bottiaeus/ Bottaios (Βοττιαίος, "of the Bottiaei"): Worshipped at Antioch Libanius wrote that Alexander the Great founded the temple of Zeus Bottiaios, in the place where later the city of Antioch was built. Zeus Bouleus/ Boulaios (Βουλαίος, "of the Council"): Worshipped at Dodona, the earliest oracle, along with Zeus Naos Brontios and Brontaios (Βρονταῖος, "Thunderer"): Zeus as a weather god
C Cenaean (Kenaios/ Kenaius, Κηναῖος): a surname of Zeus, derived from cape Cenaeum Chrysaoreus (Χρυσαορεύς, "Of the golden sword")Strabo, Geography, 14.2, note 2Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Chrysaoreus Chthonios (Χθόνιος, "of the earth or underworld") Cronides (Κρονίδης, "son of Cronus")https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0197:book=7:chapter=7 Strabo, Geography, 7.7Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Zeus Casius/Casian (Κάσιος and Κάσσιος), derived from Mount Casius. There were two mountains called Casius that were sacred to Zeus: one near AntiochCasius and another in Egypt.Strabo, Geography, 16.2.33
D Diktaios (Δικταιος): Zeus as lord of the Dikte mountain range, worshipped from Mycenaean times on Crete. Dodonian/ Dodonaios (Δωδωναῖος): meaning of Dodona Dylsios (Δύλσιος)
E Eilapinastes (Εἰλαπιναστής, "Feaster"). He was worshipped in Cyprus.Athenaeus, The Deipnosophists, 5.74Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, Eilapinastes Ephestios (Ἐφέστιος, "of the domestic hearth"). Epikarpios (ἐπικάρπιος, "of the fruits"). Eleutherios (Ἐλευθέριος, "of freedom"). At Athens after the Battle of Plataea, Athenians built the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios. Some writers said that was called "of freedom" because free men built the portico near his shrine, while others because Athenians escaped subjection to the power of Persia and they were free. Epidôtês/ Epidotes (Επιδωτης; "Giver of Good"): an epithet of Zeus at Mantineia and Sparta Euênemos/ Euanemos (Ευηνεμος; "of Fair Winds", "Giver of Favourable Wind") or Latinized Evenemus/ Evanemus Euryopa (Εὐρύοπα; "Far-seeing").Homeric Formulae, Economy and Extension Revisited, Yearbook of Ancient Greek Epic Online, Margalit Finkelberg
G Genetaeus (Γενηταίος), derived from Cape Genetus on the Euxine.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Genetaeus Genethlios (Γενέθλιός; "of birth"). Georgos (Ζεὺς Γεωργός, "Zeus the Farmer"): Zeus as god of crops and the harvest, worshipped in Athens
H
Hecalesius, a festival named Hecalesia (Εκαλήσια) was celebrated at Athens in honour of Zeus Hecalesius and Hecale.Plutarch, Theseus, 14 Helioupolites ("Heliopolite" or "Heliopolitan Zeus"): A Hellenization of the Canaanite Baʿal (probably Hadad) worshipped as a sun god at Heliopolis (modern Baalbek) in Lebanon Herkeios (Ἑρκεῖος, "of the Household") or Latinized Herceius Hetareios (Ἑταιρεῖος, "of fellowship"): According to the Suda, Zeus was called this among the Cretans.Suda Hikesios (Ἱκεσιος; "of Suppliants") or Latinized Hicesius Homagyrius (Ὁμαγύριος; "Assembler"), he had a sanctuary at Aegium. According to tradition, he was given this surname because Agamemnon assembled the most eminent men of Greece there to consult on how to wage the Trojan War.Pausanias, Description of Greece, 7.24.2 Horios (Ὅριος; "of the borders").https://topostext.org/work/407#39, Demosthenes, On the Halonnesus, 39 Horkios (Ὅρκιος): Zeus as keeper of oaths. Pausanias writes that at Olympia, in the Council Chamber (Bouleuterion), there was a statue of Zeus Horkios (Oath) which was the most fearsome to wrongdoers, holding thunderbolts in both hands. Athletes, along with their families and trainers, swore oaths on slices of boar’s flesh to compete fairly and adhere to training rules. Officials who judged the races also swore to be honest and keep all information confidential. A bronze plate inscribed with warning verses stood before the statue, intended to intimidate anyone who might break their oath.Pausanias, Description of Greece, 5.24.9 - 5.24.11 Homognios (ὁμόγνιος; "of kindred") Hyetios (Ὑετιος; "of the Rain") Hypatos (Ὑπατος, "Supreme, Most High"), was an epithet and surname of Zeus. There was an altar dedicated to him in Athens, in front of the Erechtheium, where it was forbidden to sacrifice anything alive or pour libations, offerings were limited to cakes. He was also worshipped in Sparta and near Glisas in Boeotia.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology, Hypatus Hyperdexios (Ὑπερδέξιος), from the village Hyperdexion.topostext.org, Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, Y650.13 Hypsibremetes (Ὑψιβρεμέτης, "High-thundering"). Hypsistos (Ὕψιστος, "Supreme, Most High")
I Idaeus or Idaios (Ἰδαῖος), of mount Ida. Either Mount Ida in Crete or Mount Ida in the ancient TroadBrill, Idaeus Idao (Ἰαῶ), was the syncretization of Zeus with Yahweh started by Alexander the Great in his efforts to peacefully expand hellenism. Hellenizing Jews referred to him as Baal Shamen and El Hashamayim (in English, "Lord of Heaven" and "God of Heavens", respectively).David Syme Russel. Daniel. (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1981) 191. Ikmaios (Ικμαιος; "of Moisture") or Latinized Icmaeus Ithomatas (Ιθωμάτας), an annual festival celebrated at Ithome for Zeus Ithomatas.A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), William Smith, LLD, William Wayte, G. E. Marindin, Ed., Ithomaea
K Kasios ("Zeus of Mount Kasios" the modern Jebel Aqra) or Latinized Casius: a surname of Zeus, the name may have derived from either sources, one derived from Casion, near Pelusium in Egypt. Another derived from Mount Kasios (Casius), which is the modern Jebel Aqra, is worshipped at a site on the Syrian–Turkish border, a Hellenization of the Canaanite mountain and weather god Baal Zephon Kataibates (Καταιβάτης, "descending") or Latinized Cataebates, because he was sending-down thunderbolts or because he was descending to earth due to his love of women. Katharsios (Καθάρσιος, "purifying"). Keraunios (Κεραυνιος; "of the Thunderbolt") or Latinized Ceraunius Klarios (Κλαριος; "of the Lots") or Latinized Clarius Konios (Κονιος; "of the Dust") or Latinized Conius Koryphaios (Κορυφαιος, "Chief, Leader") or Latinized Coryphaeus Kosmêtês (Κοσμητης; "Orderer") or Latinized Cosmetes Kronios (Κρόνιος; "son of Cronus") Ktesios (Κτησιος; "of the House, Property") or Latinized Ctesius Ktistes (Κτίστης; “Founder”)
L Labrandos (Λαβρανδευς; "Furious, Raging", "Zeus of Labraunda"): Worshiped at Caria, depicted with a double-edged axe (labrys), a Hellenization of the Hurrian weather god Teshub Laphystius (Λαφύστιος; "of Laphystium"), Laphystium was a mountain in Boeotia on which there was a temple to Zeus.Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), LaphystiumHerodotus, The Histories, 7.197Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, lafustios Laoetas or Laoitas (Λαοίτας; "of the People").Pausanias, Description of Greece, 5.14 Limenoskopos (Λιμενοσκοπος; "Watcher of Sea-Havens") or Latinized Limenoscopus occurs as a surname of several deities, Zeus, Artemis, Aphrodite, Priapus and Pan Lepsinos, there is a temple of Zeus Lepsinos at Euromus.The Temple of Zeus Lepsinos at Euromus Leukaios (Λευκαῖος Ζεύς; "Zeus of the white poplar")Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, leukaia