Who are Zeus, Athena, and Apollo? What are their backgrounds?
About Zeus：
Zeus had a very special role in Greek mythology the same way that Amun and Ra became important to the Egyptians.
They both became the top of the pyramid to which all the energy from the religion could flow to. Zeus was not a real being but an idea that unified the people.
After the Greek people were thoroughly convinced of divine beings, each person only desired to follow their favorite Gods.
In order to unify the people under one religion, the cult of Zeus began creating the stories and structure of the Greek pantheon. They created the stories that explained the relationships and connections that all the gods had with each other.
These stories connected together all the Greek people under one unified religion, of which Zeus became king.
Later as new gods were formed, the stories would change and adapt to make sure all the Gods and Goddess could fit together.
While Zeus and many other Gods are not based upon real beings, they do have power because they represent a collective source of stored energy
About Athena:
Athena was a real person but much of her original story has been lost and forgotten.
She was not a Greek but was a Celtic mage who lived in the forest near Athens. She was a fierce protector of the forest and the animals that lived there.
The Greeks who lived in Athens were threatened by invaders from Troy. These Trojan people had destroyed the forests around their own lands and came searching to conquer more fertile lands for raw materials.
Athena had a deep hatred for the Trojans and came to protect the city of Athens from them. With her wisdom, she managed to defend the city and force the Trojans to retreat
After this war, she became a legend to all the Greeks, and in gratitude, they named their city after her.
This is why it’s called Athens.
Overtime, the Greeks elevated her into a Goddess and built temples in her name. She became the symbol of protection and wisdom especially in times of war.
About Apollo:
Apollo was another person who became elevated into the Greek pantheon.
He was the leader of an organization who used dark magic to manipulate people and government leaders. He would curse people and then only offer them the cure later when they gave him what he wanted
Apollo was loved and hated by all people in Ancient Greece because if he helped you punish your enemies you would love him but if he punished you, then you would curse him.
People out of fear of Apollo worshiped him for protection often sending tributes to gain his favor. The legends of Apollo became common stories that eventually caused him to become the god of healing and warding off evil.
Since he was the source of the evil they believed by worshipping him they could be protected from him.
Sananda 