The New Student's Reference Work/Jupiter (mythology)

Jupiter, the chief god of the Romans. He was first the divinity of the sky, of thunder and of lightning. He was the supreme spirit above other gods, and as such was besought to give victory in war. He also was the god of the vintage and of oaths. When, however, the Romans came to know of the Greek gods, the myths and stories told of Zeus were applied by Latin poets to Jupiter. Statues of Jupiter came to be made, and the Roman god came to be, as Zeus was, merely a greater man. The famous temple of Jupiter stood on the Capitoline hill at Rome, and was built by Tarquin.