# Jupiter — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide > Jupiter in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jupiter omnipotent, Jove, Libyan Jove **First appearance:** 0005-roman-divinities ## Snapshot King of the Roman gods, whose thunderbolts and amorous interventions shape the fates of gods and mortals alike. ## Who they are Jupiter rules Olympus with a sovereignty that is absolute but far from serene, his authority constantly asserted against giants, rivals, and the consequences of his own desires. He transforms himself into a ram to escape the giants, into a bull for Europa, and into a shower of gold for Danae, each disguise a testament to his restless appetite. His interventions drive the machinery of myth, making him the axis around which the fables of gods and heroes turn. ## In the story ### [Bulfinch's Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/bulfinch-s-mythology) King of the gods, central figure in many myths. ### [Stories of Gods and Heroes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/stories-of-gods-and-heroes) Jupiter overthrows Saturn to become the king of gods, establishing a new divine order. ### [Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/i-introduction) King of the gods; son of Saturn; divided the universe with Neptune and Pluto. ### [Roman Divinities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/roman-divinities) Mentioned as the dethroner of Saturn, who fled to Italy after being overthrown. ### [Prometheus and Pandora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-prometheus-and-pandora) King of the gods, angered by Prometheus's theft of fire, ordered the creation of Pandora, and later decided to destroy humanity by flood. ### [IV: Juno and Her Rivals, Io and Callisto—Diana and Actaeon—Latona and the Rustics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/iv-juno-and-her-rivals-io-and-callisto-diana-and-actaeon-latona-and-the-rustics) King of the gods, transforms Io into a heifer and later places Callisto and Arcas among the stars as constellations. ### [Callisto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/callisto) Husband of Juno, who loved Callisto and later snatches her and her son Arcas to place them in the sky as constellations. ### [Latona and the Rustics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/latona-and-the-rustics) Fastens Delos to the sea floor to provide a secure birthplace for Latona's children. ### [Phaëton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/v-pha-ton) Mentioned as the god who cannot drive the sun chariot; his realm is affected by the chaos. ### [Midas—Baucis and Philemon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/vi-midas-baucis-and-philemon) Visits Phrygia in human form with Mercury, seeking shelter; later reveals himself and rewards Baucis and Philemon. ### [Baucis and Philemon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/baucis-and-philemon) Disguised as a weary traveler, he visits Phrygia with Mercury and rewards Baucis and Philemon for their hospitality. ### [Cupid and Psyche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xi-cupid-and-psyche) King of the gods who intervenes to make Psyche immortal and sanction her marriage to Cupid. ### [Cadmus—The Myrmidons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xii-cadmus-the-myrmidons) Disguised as a bull, he carried away Europa; Cadmus offers sacrifice to him; Aeacus prays to him for citizens. ### [The Myrmidons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-myrmidons) Father of Aeacus; answers Aeacus' prayer by transforming ants into the Myrmidons. ### [XIII: Nisus and Scylla—Echo and Narcissus—Clytie—Hero and Leander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiii-nisus-and-scylla-echo-and-narcissus-clytie-hero-and-leander) Referenced as Jove, who was cradled in Crete, in Minos's speech. ### [XIV: Minerva—Niobe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xiv-minerva-niobe) King of the gods, father of Minerva, depicted in Minerva's web and in Arachne's scenes of divine deception. ### [Minerva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/minerva) King of the gods, depicted in Minerva's weaving as presiding over the contest with Neptune, and also appears in Arachne's web disguised as a swan, a bull, and a golden shower. ### [Niobe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/niobe) Mentioned indirectly as the father of Apollo and Diana; also referenced in the context of divine authority. ### [XV: The Graeae or Gray-Maids—Perseus—Medusa—Atlas—Andromeda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xv-the-graeae-or-gray-maids-perseus-medusa-atlas-andromeda) Father of Perseus; his son is prophesied to rob Atlas of golden apples. ### [Perseus and Medusa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/perseus-and-medusa) Father of Perseus. ### [Perseus and Atlas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/perseus-and-atlas) Claimed by Perseus as his father; the prophecy about a son of Jove stealing the golden apples is recalled by Atlas. ### [The Sea-Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-sea-monster) Mentioned as the father of Perseus, lending him divine lineage. ### [The Wedding Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-wedding-feast) Implied as the divine authority behind the sentence dooming Andromeda to the monster. ### [Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xvi-monsters) Sends a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing Bellerophon's fall; also strikes Aesculapius with lightning and places Chiron among the stars. ### [Giants, Sphinx, Pegasus and Chimaera, Centaurs, Griffin, and Pygmies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/giants-sphinx-pegasus-and-chimaera-centaurs-griffin-and-pygmies) Took the form of a ram during the giants' war, later worshipped as Ammon in Egypt; ultimately subdued the giants with thunderbolts. ### [Pegasus and the Chimaera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/pegasus-and-the-chimaera) Sends a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing Bellerophon's fall for his presumption. ### [The Centaurs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-centaurs) Strikes Aesculapius with lightning at Pluto's request, then deifies him. ### [XIX: Hercules—Hebe and Ganymede](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xix-hercules-hebe-and-ganymede) Father of Hercules; intervenes to deify him and arranges his marriage to Hebe. ### [Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/hercules) Father of Hercules; intervenes to deify him after his death; speaks to the gods about Hercules' immortality. ### [Hebe and Ganymede](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/hebe-and-ganymede) Disguised as an eagle, Jupiter abducts Ganymede from Mount Ida and installs him as cupbearer. ### [Theseus—Daedalus—Castor and Pollux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xx-theseus-daedalus-castor-and-pollux) Father of Castor and Pollux; grants them alternating immortality and places them among the stars. ### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/theseus) Mentioned as the father of Helen and Pirithous's intended bride; Theseus and Pirithous aspire to marry daughters of Jupiter. ### [Olympic and Other Games](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/olympic-and-other-games) Founder of the Olympic games according to tradition. ### [Castor and Pollux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/castor-and-pollux) Disguised as a swan, fathered Castor and Pollux with Leda; later granted Pollux's wish for shared immortality. ### [Bacchus—Ariadne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxi-bacchus-ariadne) Father of Bacchus; reluctantly fulfills his oath to Semele, resulting in her death, and later places the Hyades among the stars. ### [Bacchus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/bacchus) Father of Bacchus; his oath to Semele leads to her death; he saves the infant Bacchus and entrusts him to the Nysaean nymphs. ### [The Water Deities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-water-deities) Jove, who overthrew the Titans and assumed power, leading to Neptune and Amphitrite succeeding Oceanus and Tethys. ### [Thetis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/thetis) Sought Thetis in marriage but withdrew due to prophecy. ### [XXIII: Achelous and Hercules—Admetus and Alcestis—Antigone—Penelope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxiii-achelous-and-hercules-admetus-and-alcestis-antigone-penelope) Launches thunderbolt at Aesculapius and later at Capaneus; punishes Apollo; origin of the Cornucopia via the goat Amalthea. ### [Achelous and Hercules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/achelous-and-hercules) Referenced as the father of Hercules and as the infant god cared for by the daughters of Melisseus. ### [Admetus and Alcestis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/admetus-and-alcestis) Launches a thunderbolt at Aesculapius and later condemns Apollo to serve a mortal. ### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/antigone) God who launches a thunderbolt to open the ground and swallow Amphiaraus, and later strikes Capaneus with a thunderbolt for his impious language. ### [Orpheus and Eurydice—Aristaeus—Amphion—Linus—Thamyris—Marsyas—Melampus—Musaeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxiv-orpheus-and-eurydice-aristaeus-amphion-linus-thamyris-marsyas-melampus-musaeus) Father of Amphion and Antiope, queen of Thebes. ### [Orpheus and Eurydice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/orpheus-and-eurydice) Places Orpheus's lyre among the stars after his death. ### [Amphion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/amphion) Father of Amphion and Antiope. ### [Diana and Endymion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/diana-and-endymion) Bestows on Endymion the gift of perpetual youth united with perpetual sleep. ### [Orion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/orion) Turned the Pleiads into pigeons and then into a constellation. ### [Aurora and Tithonus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/aurora-and-tithonus) Grants immortality to Tithonus at Aurora's request; later turns the embers of Memnon's funeral pyre into birds. ### [XXVII: The Trojan War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxvii-the-trojan-war) King of the gods; remains somewhat impartial but grants success to Trojans at Thetis's request. ### [The Iliad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-iliad) King of the gods who initially favors the Trojans at Thetis's request, later pities Priam and sends Mercury to guide him to Achilles. ### [Adventures of Ulysses—The Lotus-Eaters—Cyclopes—Circe—Sirens—Scylla and Charybdis—Calypso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxix-adventures-of-ulysses-the-lotus-eaters-cyclopes-circe-sirens-scylla-and-charybdis-calypso) The king of the gods who commands Calypso to release Ulysses and who entrusted Aeolus with the winds. ### [Return of Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/return-of-ulysses) Referenced as the god who entrusted Aeolus with the winds and as the source of divine retribution. ### [Calypso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/calypso) Commands Calypso to dismiss Ulysses, sending Mercury with the message. ### [The Phaeacians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-phaeacians) Referenced as the source from whom the poor and stranger come, underscoring the duty of hospitality. ### [Dido](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/dido) King of the gods; sends Mercury to recall Aeneas to his destiny. ### [XXXIV: Pythagoras—Egyptian Deities—Oracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxiv-pythagoras-egyptian-deities-oracles) Identified with the Egyptian god Amun (Jupiter Ammon); oracle at Dodona is dedicated to him. ### [Egyptian Deities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/egyptian-deities) Identified with Amun as Jupiter Ammon, the highest deity acknowledged by the Egyptians. ### [Oracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/oracles) His oracle at Dodona is described as the most ancient Grecian oracle, established by doves or priestesses from Thebes in Egypt. ### [Origin of Mythology—Statues of Gods and Goddesses—Poets of Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxv-origin-of-mythology-statues-of-gods-and-goddesses-poets-of-mythology) Mentioned as the subject of Phidias's statue of the Olympian Jupiter, described as the supreme deity enthroned in majesty. ### [The Olympian Jupiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-olympian-jupiter) The supreme deity depicted in Phidias's statue, seated on a throne with a sceptre and a statue of Victory. ### [The Minerva of the Parthenon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-minerva-of-the-parthenon) Mentioned alongside Minerva as the subject of another lost statue by Phidias, characterized by grave and dignified beauty. ### [Ovid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ovid) Mentioned in the translated closing lines of the Metamorphoses as 'Jove,' whose ire cannot destroy the poem. ### [The Mythical History of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-the-mythical-history-of-england) Mentioned as the father of Albion, the giant who gave his name to the island. ### [Ogier, the Dane (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ogier-the-dane-continued) Referenced indirectly through the balm of Joseph of Arimathea, which is tied to the crucified one worshipped by Christians. ### [A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/a) Mentioned as the father of gods, nursed by Amalthea, and as father of Amphion and Alcmena. ### [D](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/d) Father of Danaë's child Perseus and of Diana. ### [J](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/j) Chief god of Roman and Grecian mythology, also known as Jove. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/l) Wooed Leda in the form of a swan. ### [Z](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/z) Father of Zethus. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/jupiter - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters