Leader of the past. Leader of today. Leader of the future.
Myths have been part of human history. Humans created myths and myths helped humans progress. They are not real stories; they are products of the cognitive revolution humans went through, as eloquently explained by historian Yuval Noah Harari in his book Sapiens – A Brief History of Humankind.
Myths serve as vehicles for survival and growth, connecting large numbers of humans for collaboration, across different and large geographies and throughout long periods of time.
What is the use of myths today, and in business?
Can we learn from the leaders of the mythical past? Can myths help us understand how concepts in leadership evolved? Can they help us find solutions to our current challenges? Do they inspire us? Do they entertain us? Do they indulge more curiosity?
In my opinion, all of the above!
So, here is a little snippet about a mythical leader of the past.
In Greek mythology, Zeus was the King of the Gods who resided atop Mount Olympus and was worshiped as the leader of both mortals and immortals. Greek myth emphasized Zeus’ supreme power, but also his role as a source of justice.
Zeus was invoked in many natural, domestic, and institutional capacities; he was the mighty deity of the sky AND the protector of the city, the marketplace, the home, and the family. As described in Iliad by Homeros, his chief attributes were the thunderbolt, the symbol of his authority as the god of weather, as well as the scepter, representing his role as the ruler of the cosmos.
According to myth, Zeus was the last of the six children born to the Titans Cronus and Rhea. He came into being at a chaotic and uncertain time; Cronus had just seized control of the heavens from his father Uranus. Fearing that his own children would overthrow him, just as he had his father, Cronus ate his first five children, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon. Determined to save her next child, Rhea escaped while she was pregnant and delivered Zeus in secret.
In the most familiar version of the myth, Zeus was born and was raised on Mount Ida on the island of Crete. Overall, Mount Ida is a multifaceted symbol in Greek mythology, representing themes of divine birth, protection, and the interplay between gods and mortals.
When he reached manhood, Zeus left Crete to confront Cronus. First, he tricked Cronus into drinking a potion that caused him to vomit up the children he had swallowed. Once Zeus and his siblings were reunited, they set out to overthrow Cronus and the rest of the Titans. For ten years, the Titans battled with Zeus and his siblings.
Strained to his limits, Zeus eventually won the conflict with the Titans, but through strategy rather than strength. He freed the Cyclopes, a race of powerful one-eyed giants, and the Hecatoncheires, primordial beasts with a hundred hands each, from their prison. In return for their freedom, they helped Zeus and his siblings in their war. The Cyclopes even gave Zeus “thunder and the glowing thunderbolt” to show their gratitude. After defeating the Titans, Zeus divided the cosmos among his siblings.
Zeus was a master planner and one of his Homeric epithets was translated as “wise counselor.” Early tradition even claimed that the entire Trojan War had been masterminded by Zeus.
During the Trojan War, while Zeus does not dictate details of the conflict and does not take one side over the other except protecting undermined, his presence underscores the divine dimensions of the epic struggle between Greeks and Trojans. He embodies the unpredictability of divine intervention in Greek mythology, shaping the outcome of the war in ways that are both subtle and profound.
The symbolic influence: As the most powerful deity in the Greek pantheon, Zeus symbolizes the overarching authority of the gods. His presence looms over the events of the Trojan War, serving as a reminder of the divine forces at play and the complex relationship between mortals and immortals.
The divine mediator: Zeus acts as a mediator among the gods, who frequently involve themselves in mortal affairs. While gods and goddesses take sides in the conflict, supporting either the Greeks or the Trojans, Zeus intervenes to maintain a balance of power among the gods or to prevent excessive interference in mortal affairs.
The fulfiller of fate: Zeus, as the king of the gods and the enforcer of cosmic order, ensures that fate is ultimately fulfilled. While he may not directly dictate the actions of mortals or gods, Zeus oversees the unfolding of events according to the predetermined fate of individuals and nations.
The protector: Zeus occasionally takes part in the Trojan War directly. He protects certain individuals to prevent either side in the war from gaining too much advantage.
This epic saga lasts for ten year and ends with an unexpected victory of the Greeks through the enigmatic reveal of the “Trojan Horse”. Never a dull moment!
Do mythical gods die? I don’t think so. We humans conveniently recycle them and their stories, as our needs evolve. They stay with us forever, transforming into different personas and giving shape to new traditions.
Just like the Greek god Zeus who transformed into Roman god Jupiter.
Just like the modern Olympic Games reinstated by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896. The ancient Olympic Games, as far as we know today, have a long history. According to existing historic manuscripts, the first ancient Olympic Games were celebrated in 776 BC in Olympia. They took place in the same place every four years and were dedicated to… Zeus.
Leaders of today, let’s keep learning from the past and always move forward!