Who Killed Zeus the God?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

According to Greek mythology, Zeus, the king of the gods, was never actually killed and continues his reign on Mount Olympus. But in the fictional God of War video games, Zeus meets his end at the hands of Kratos.

Zeus is a major god in Greek mythology who took power after he led his siblings in a revolt against their father, Cronus, defeating the Titans for control of the cosmos. As the new supreme ruler, Zeus wields his mighty thunderbolts from his throne on Mount Olympus.

Over the eras, there have been attempts to overthrow the powerful Zeus from his station as king of the gods. For example, the monster Typhon tried to claim supremacy but was ultimately defeated by Zeus in a cataclysmic battle and imprisoned. Even Zeus‘s wife Hera once drugged him in an attempt to bind him to his throne while he slept. But the cunning and strong Zeus managed to break free of his restraints.

So in the original Greek myths, Zeus prevails against all threats to his power – that is until the fictional tale of God of War. In the video game franchise, the protagonist Kratos embarks on a quest to take revenge against the gods of Olympus, eventually killing Zeus himself at the climax of God of War 3.

As a fellow gamer, I found this plot twist of Kratos slaying Zeus with the god‘s own thunderbolt an epic subversion of expectations and authority. It represents overcoming and defeating corrupt tyrants, a timeless theme that undoubtedly contributes to the wild popularity of the God of War series over the years.

To illustrate, God of War 2018 sold over 19.5 million copies globally. And according to Sony, the God of War franchise surpassed a whopping 51 million sales in 2022. These impressive numbers demonstrate the resonant storytelling of Kratos evolving from once serving the gods to now destroying them in a grand mythological setting.

God of War Franchise Sales
Total sales for franchise (as of 2022)
God of War 2018 units sold (as of 2022)

In another fascinating fictional take involving Zeus‘s death, the post-credits scene in Thor: Love and Thunder introduces Zeus‘s son Hercules. An angry Zeus sends Hercules after Thor to avenge his defeat. This paves the way for an epic showdown between the Asgardian Avenger and the Greek demigod.

While Zeus remains an undisputed Olympian god in Greek mythology, his demise at Kratos‘s hands in God of War and his thirst for reprisal against Thor in the Marvel films make for intensely entertaining what-if tales. They allow us to reimagine conflicts against even the most powerful kings of myth in fresh, exhilarating ways possible only in fiction.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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