Some Thoughts on Indo-European Supreme God

Abstract

Comparative analyses indicate that many attributes of the Indo-European thunder-gods are reminiscent of those of Zeus. There are some notable differences, however, which preclude the sky-god and storm-god from being equated. The Indo-European Dyēus is not a supreme god, but that role is assumed by the storm-god. The only reflection of the Sky Father in Greek and Roman religion is the king of the gods, but as a thunder-god. The supremacy among the gods in the Indo-European Pantheon cannot be tied to heaven alone, as suggested by comparative analyses of German mythology and their sovereign god Wodan/Odin.