Gods of the Greek Mythology - Zeus #4

Leto is a mistress who regularly is visited by Zeus and soon she is expecting twins.

Hera, the queen of the Olymp, is so upset about Zeus' recent side-jump that she sends a monster from the depths of the earth to Leto, the snake Python.

Hera also decrees that Leto must not come down in any place where the sun shines.

The unfortunate one has to wander through Greece until she finds asylum on a small island in the Aegean sea. Leto brings there a girl to the world, Artemis and a young, Apollo.

But Zeus does not only fall in love with goddesses, also mortal women make the heart of the god of gods beat faster.

That is a problem.

On the one hand it violates the order of things if gods and mortals mix and on the other hand simple mortals cannot see a god in his divine appearance.

A woman on earth ignites Zeus's whole passion.

She is the daughter of the king of Thebes and is called Semele. To gain her favor, Zeus must turn into a charming prince, only in this form can a god appear in front of mortals.

The problem is that our heartbreaker is still married to Hera.

She is not at all enthusiastic about this new liaison between Semele and her husband. Hera doesn't let that be offered to her. She takes the form of Semele's nurse, an old woman who is very much loved by Semele and she trusts her.

As she Hera goes to her.

Semele is already about to give birth.

"Are you sure?" asks the old nurse, "that this man who pretends to be Zeus is not lying to you? Why do you think he really is Zeus? Ask him for proof. If your beloved is truly Zeus, he will show you all his splendor as he appears to the other gods."

These words do not let Semele rest, she begins to doubt.
Is this man, her beloved, really Zeus?

When he comes to her, she asks him to show himself in his true form.
Zeus refuses, he knows what would happen, Semele does not let up, Zeus remains steadfast.

"If so," Semele threatens, "I won't let you in my bed anymore."

Zeus surrenders to Semele out of love.