Λουκιανός - Άπαντα, Τόμος Τέταρτος

A vivid, first‑person meditation opens with Zeus himself lamenting the misconception that only the gods know true happiness. He scolds the philosophers who, dazzled by Homer, claim divine bliss while ignoring the endless toil that underpins every celestial function. The tone is both grand and intimate, inviting listeners to hear the king of the heavens grapple with the weight of his own responsibilities.

From sunrise to nightfall Zeus describes the relentless duties that bind him: steering the sun’s blazing chariot, guiding the moon’s nocturnal watch, and dispatching Apollo to the countless shrines that demand his oracles. He also watches over the restless winds, the restless dreams of sleepers, and the suffering of mortals pleading to Asclepius. Through witty asides and vivid imagery, the passage reveals a god who, despite his power, is never idle—ever alert, ever overseeing the delicate balance between divine will and human longing.