The very first celebrations in honour of mothers were held in Ancient Greece during the spring. They paid tribute to Rhea, The Mother of the Gods. Rhea was the Titan of "Earth and Fertility", both sister and wife to the Titan, Cronus (Saturn). However Cronus, after having been told that he would be dethroned by his own son, swallowed his own offspring at birth. Rhea tricked Cronus by saving her son Zeuss and giving Cronus a rock to swallow instead.

"...And since both earth (Gaia) and sky (Uranus) foretold him (Chronos) that he would be dethroned by his own son, he used to swallow his offspring at birth... enraged at this, Rhea repaired to Crete, when she was big with Zeus, and brought him forth in a cave of Dicte. She gave him to the Curetes and to the Nymphs... to nurse. So these Nymphs fed the child on the milk of Amalthea (the Goat)... but Rhea wrapped a stone in swaddling clothes and gave it to Chronos to swallow..." (Apollodorus, Bibliotheca I.I.5-7).

When Zeus (Jupiter) grew up he forced his father to disgorge his five siblings: Poseidon (Neptune), Hades (Pluto), Demeter, Hestia, and Hera. He also revolted against Cronus and the other Titans, defeating and banishing them to Tartarus in the underworld.

Cronus himself managed to escape to Italy, where he ruled as Saturn. The period of his rule was said to be the "Golden Age" on earth, honoured by the "Saturnia Feast".

After overthrowing his father Zeus drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of all the Gods and formed the Olympians. The Olympians are a group of 12 gods. They are named after their dwelling place Mount Olympus and all are related in some way.

Zeus is the lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt, which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera, but, is equally famous for his many affairs. He is known to punish those who lie or break oaths.