# Zeus — Nicomachean Ethics character guide

> Zeus in Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i

## Who they are

Chief god in Greek mythology, referenced in examples.

## Relationships

### [Thetis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/thetis)

_family_

Thetis is a sea nymph and Zeus is the king of the gods; they have a divine patron-client relationship, and Thetis once helped Zeus.

## In the story

### [Book IV: The Several Moral Virtues and Vices Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/book-iv)

Referenced in the context of Thetis' reluctance to mention her services to him.

### [The Several Moral Virtues and Vices—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/the-several-moral-virtues-and-vices-continued)

Referenced in the context of Thetis' reluctance to mention her benefits to him.

### [High-Mindedness and the Greatness of Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/iii)

Referenced in the context of Thetis not mentioning her services to him, as an example of high-minded behavior.

### [Friendship and Political Constitutions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned in Homer's address as a model of paternal kingship.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as a metaphor for not all sacrifices being due to the same entity, illustrating that not all claims are equal.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters/zeus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/characters