Zeus (Jupiter) was the king of the gods. He was the son of Cronos (Saturn) and Rhea. Ancient people associated him with justice and they thought he punished those who did wrong and rewarded those who did good.

Phaethon learned that his father was Apollo. He went to his father, and ask to ride his chariot to the sun so that everyone would know that he was the son of a god. Apollo thought the horses would be too wild for Phaethon, but he let him go any way. Phaethon couldn't control the chariot and almost burned up the earth. Africans were burned from the heat, and their skin turned brown. Finally, Zeus had to kill Phaethon with his thunderbolts to prevent more damage.

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