Zeus

Caesar

Caesar is often compared to Zeus, reflecting a psychological need to legitimize imperial power through divine association.

Epictetus

Epictetus views Zeus as a divine rational principle, engaging in a philosophical and spiritual relationship of reverence.

Menelaus

Menelaus appeals to Zeus as a moral arbiter, reflecting a traditional Greek religious dependence.

Hercules

Hercules is the son of Zeus, a divine parent-child relationship marked by heroic destiny and paternal favor.

Epictetus

Epictetus views Zeus as a divine rational principle, engaging in a philosophical and spiritual relationship of reverence.

Menelaus

Menelaus appeals to Zeus as a moral arbiter, reflecting a traditional Greek religious dependence.

Discourses

Invoked as the divine authority and embodiment of providence in Stoic cosmology.

Book I

Referenced as the giver of rain and fruits, father of gods and men, and as the one who with the Moirae defined each person's generation.

Of the Things Which Are in Our Power, and Not in Our Power

Quoted as addressing Epictetus, explaining why only the rational faculty is given in our power.

How a Man Should Proceed from the Principle of God Being the Father of All Men to the Rest

Referenced as the father of both men and gods, whose sonship would naturally inspire elation and noble self-regard.

VI: Of Providence

Addressed as the giver of faculties and the one who presents difficulties for human growth.

Of Contentment

Referenced as the disposer who, with the Moirae, defined and ordered each person's generation and circumstances.

XIII: How Everything May Be Done Acceptably to the Gods

Mentioned as the progenitor of all humans, emphasizing kinship and divine descent.

That the Deity Oversees All Things

Referenced as the supreme deity who oversees all and places a guardian daemon with each person.

Of Providence

Invoked as a witness to the shamelessness of those who deny providence.

XIX: How We Should Behave to Tyrants

Cited as the one who has set the free man free, and as the model of rational nature that serves the common interest.

On Precognitions

Referenced in the context of duty toward the divine and the consequences of misplacing the good.

On the Same

Zeus is cited as the source of the precepts that guide human conduct, having given each person what is their own and forbidden them from desiring what belongs to others.

In How Many Ways Appearances Exist, and What Aids We Should Provide Against Them

Mentioned as the god whom the perturbed person might abuse when unable to change circumstances.

VIII: What Is the Nature (Ἡ Οὐσία) of the Good

Referenced as the divine maker who created humans and entrusted them to their own care.

XVI: That We Do Not Strive to Use Our Opinions About Good and Evil

Invoked in the text as part of the divine law and in the phrase 'No, by Zeus'.

How We Should Struggle Against Appearances

Implored as a helper and protector, along with the Dioscuri, in the storm of violent appearances.

XX: Against the Epicureans and Academics

Invoked by Epictetus in an exclamation about the futility of trying to convince those who are deaf to their own evils.

Book III

Referenced as the divine administrator of the universe, whom one must not oppose by desiring what is not in one's power.

What Is the Matter on Which a Good Man Should Be Employed, and in What We Ought Chiefly to Practice Ourselves

Mentioned as the one who has made the ruling faculty free from hindrance and compulsion, and who cannot eject one from the possession of virtue.

Against a Person Who Showed His Partisanship in an Unseemly Way in a Theatre

Mentioned as being abused by husbandmen and sailors when hindered, illustrating that even gods are criticized.

Against Those Who on Account of Sickness Go Away Home

Addressed in the imagined prayer of the philosopher who thanks God for the opportunity to participate in the divine administration.

To the Administrator of the Free Cities Who Was an Epicurean

Invoked as the ultimate authority whose ordinances should guide action, with punishment being the loss of fidelity and modesty.

VIII: How We Must Exercise Ourselves Against Appearances (Φαντασίας)

Addressed as the divine figure who has given humans the capacity to endure and be happy, and who has opened the door to exit life if displeased.

XI: Certain Miscellaneous Matters

Invoked as the paternal and kindred overseer, from whom all relationships derive.

What Solitude Is, and What Kind of Person a Solitary Man Is

Used as an example of a being who is alone but not solitary, dwelling with himself in tranquility.

About Cynism

The divine sender of the Cynic as a messenger and the one who exercises the Cynic.

Book IV: On Freedom and Familiar Intimacy

Invoked in the Stoic prayer 'Lead me, O Zeus, and thou O destiny,' as the ultimate guide to freedom through acceptance.

About Freedom

Invoked in the quote 'Lead me, O Zeus, and thou O destiny' as the divine authority to whom one must submit.

III: What Things We Should Exchange for Other Things

Implied as the source of divine laws and commands that Epictetus urges obedience to.

To Those Who Are Desirous of Passing Life in Tranquillity

Mentioned as the one who appointed the superintendents of external things; the gods are equally distant from all places and see all.

VI: Against Those Who Lament Over Being Pitied

Mentioned as unable to convince all men what things are good and bad, highlighting the difficulty of the task.

On Freedom from Fear

Referenced as the god who has willed opinions to be the select property of every man.