Chapter 3, Gods of Heaven and Earth Summary and Analysis

Sitchin identifies the gods of Sumer as the reason for the land's rapid development. He recounts the Greek pantheon of gods, rulers from above with specific powers and origins. Zeus won his power by defeating serpentine Typhon in battle and shared power with his brothers. Hades reigned in the underworld, Poseidon in the sea, and Zeus in the sky. Zeus fathered other deities, and his first son was Apollo, a liaison with humanity. Zeus married his sister Hera and fathered Ares, god of war, but his marriage was troubled by infidelity. The gods were subject to injury and death. Hephaestus, god of creativity, was lame.

Aphrodite, goddess of love and war from a generation before Zeus, came across the Mediterranean, and to make room for her in the 12 ruling Olympian gods...