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Jupiter is a translation of Zeus, the supreme God of the
Greeks.
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The names we use today for the planets are Latin god-name equivalents
of the earlier Greek god-names, which the Greeks originally matched
to the god-names of the pioneering stargazers of antiquity, the
Babylonians. Jupiter is a translation of Zeus, the supreme God of
the Greeks. Jupiter is the supreme deity of the ancient Romans,
the god of the heavens, god of light, who manifested especially
in atmospheric phenomena.
Jupiter became a personalized deity with the coming of the Etruscan
Kings of Rome, where he was honored in his temple as Jupiter Optimus
Maximus. It was to this temple that generals proceeded to give thanks
when victorious in battle, since Jupiter was stayer of defeat and
giver of victory. As well as protecting the state during war, he
was the force for unity in the community, maintaining its well-being
in peace. Also known as Jove, Jupiter became closely associated
with the Greek god Zeus, the son of Cronus (Saturn). Many of Jupiter's
16 moons are named after the gods many wives.
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