Cronos the Father of Zeus, devoured all of his newborn children, since he feared the same fate as befell his Father, whom Cronos deprived of his power. Therefore Zeus Mother Rhea gave birth to him in a cave of the Ida-Mountains on the island of Crete. After the birth Rhea handed Cronos a rock in swaddling clothes to devour. He became very ill, even Gods can not digest stone. Rhea helped him to regurgitate, since she knew that he not only would spit out the rock, but also all of his other children und so they remained. In the meantime the Nymph Amaltheia cared for and protected Zeus. After he grew up, he overthrew his Father Cronos and his siblings the Titans, after heavy fighting. Zeus had the help of the Cyclopes, who also bestowed him with thunder and lightning. After Zeus drove the Titans into Tartaros, Latin for Underworld, he still needed to fight the Giants and the Tartara Typhon, all of which were successful. Thereafter he and his brothers would begin their world-domination. By casting lots, it was determined that Zeus was the ruler of Heaven and Earth, Poseidon of the Oceans and Hades became the overseer of the Underworld. Zeus the son of Rhea and Cronos, is the highest God, to whom Gods and Mortals alike must bow. As the Steward and the Keeper of the whole world, he resides high on Mount Olympus, from where he directs the clouds and unleashes the rain, snow, hail, thunder and lightning upon the world. His servants are the Horai and the Goddesses of the weather and the seasons. Blessings and prosperity, death and ruin, all come from his almighty hand. He protects the law and punishes the sinners. Therefore appeared Themis and her Daughter Dike, the Goddesses of law and justice as executrixes of his will. Oath and hospitality as well as the art of prophecy, are all under his special protection. The children of Zeus from his wife Hera, are Hephastos, Ares and Hebe; from the Titan-Daughter Leto came Apollo and Artemes; from the Nymph Maja came Hermes; from the Titan Oceanus Daughter Dionne was Aphrodite born and from Demeter came Persephone. Often descends the highest God to the daughters of the mortals, therefore Semele born him the God Dionysos; Alkmene the Half-God Herakles; Europa his son Minos; Danae born Perseus; Leda born Polydeukes (Latin Pollux) and Helena. Zeus is mostly pictured with a scepter and a lightning bolt in his hand with his holy Eagle by his side. Among the trees, the mighty oak tree was dedicated to Zeus.