Greek Myths XS: How the Lion became the King of Animals

Somewhere at the beginning of time, the freshly created world was ruled by the titans Kronos and Rhea. Out of fear to be overpowered, Kronos swallowed every last one of his newborns. Until Rhea decided to hand him a rock, wrapped in cloths instead. The surviving child, whom she named Zeus, was carried away and nursed in a cave on the isle of Crete, by the goat Amaltheia. To make sure Kronos wouldn’t notice the baby crying, Rhea ordered her royal guardians, the nine Kouretes to dance, shout and make noise, all day long. Finally, Kronos had enough and turned them into lions. But by then, Zeus had fully grown up, and he returned to his father’s dwelling, set his siblings free and became the new ruler of the universe. Amaltheia got her place in heaven, as the “goat-star”, and her skin was donated to war-goddess Athena, who made her aegis, or “breast shield” out of it, that helped her to become the GOAT. The kouretes/lions stuck with Rhea, and Zeus thanked them by promoting the lion to “king of the animals”.

Dancing warriors, relief, Vatican Museums, Rome, Italy

Rhea riding a lion, relief, Antikensammlung Berlin, Germany

Did you know...

• The Romans identified the Titan goddess Rhea with their ancient deity Opis.