It’s often hard to determine the “Who’s Who?” among mythological characters because they are, by definition, mythological.
That means there are no measurable or quantifiable facts to definitively establish which god is stronger, faster, or braver than another.
For example, when deciding which god is stronger between Thor and Zeus, the answer is primarily determined by the person answering the question.
In terms of brute strength, Thor is likely stronger than Zeus. The Greek myths talk about how powerful Zeus is.
He can control the weather, throw lightning, shapeshift, and perform magic.
However, none of the myths explicitly talk about him being a strong god, which is a key attribute of Thor.
This article will explain this in more detail and discuss which Greek gods might be as strong as or stronger than Thor.
It will also address some other interesting points, such as whether or not Zeus could lift Mjolnir and whether Zeus or Odin is stronger.
Reasons Thor Is Stronger Than Zeus
People often compare Thor and Zeus, finding many similarities between them. Both are frequently called “gods of thunder” in their respective pantheons, and each is associated with thunder and lightning.
They are also great warriors known for being victorious over their enemies.
However, that’s pretty much where their similarities end. Underneath the surface, the two are very different, and Thor is the strongest of the two of them.
For one thing, none of the Greek myths specifically talks about Zeus being physically strong. He’s many things, including:
- Wise
- Jealous
- Powerful
- Amorous
- Intelligent
At times, he’s also petty and vindictive. However, no myth describes him as having an excessive amount of strength. In The Iliad, Zeus gives a speech where he describes himself as stronger than the other gods and mortals.
However, after giving this speech, his daughter Athena replies, “Our Father, son of Cronus, high and mighty, we already know your power, far too well. Who can stand against you?” [1]
This response seems to indicate that Zeus is speaking of his power more so than his strength.
On the other hand, the myths are very explicit about Thor’s strength.
He is the strongest god among all the Aesir gods, and there are numerous examples of his great strength in Norse mythology.
Furthermore, one could make an argument concerning the scope of the two gods’ powers.
Zeus is the strongest/most powerful god on Earth, whereas Thor is the strongest god in all the nine realms. [2]
Therefore, he’s not just the strongest being on the planet but the entire cosmos.
Zeus Is More Powerful Than Thor
However, just because Thor is the stronger of the two doesn’t necessarily mean he’d beat Zeus in a fight.
Of the two, Zeus is obviously the more powerful. He’s also more intelligent and has more magic and tricks up his sleeve.
Thor might be able to best Zeus in an arm-wrestling match. However, in a fight to the death, Zeus would almost certainly be the victor, especially since he is immortal, but the Norse gods can die.
Therefore, it seems as though Thor would be the stronger of the two gods, though Zeus is likely more powerful overall.
Which Greek God Is Stronger Than Thor?
In Marvel comics, both Zeus and Hercules are Greek gods (or demigods) stronger than Thor. [3]
However, objectively speaking, when it comes to the actual myths, few gods could beat Thor in terms of strength.
Greek gods who could potentially be stronger than Thor include Atlas, who was strong enough to hold the entire world on his shoulders, and the demigod Heracles, whose strength as a half-mortal was enough to rival the gods.
Unfortunately, since all these gods are mythological figures from vastly different pantheons, it’s impossible to know for sure.
Of course, if one believes, as Neil Gaiman posits in his book American Gods, that the amount of belief people put into their gods determines their strength, then the strongest god would ultimately be the one with the most believers and worshipers in any given time and place. [4]
Who is Stronger Zeus or Odin?
Odin is a mighty god – the most powerful god in Norse mythology. However, like Zeus, his power doesn’t reside in his strength or physicality.
Instead, Odin is known for his wisdom, cunning, strategy, and magical abilities.
Zeus is likely stronger than Odin in the original mythological tales.
However, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Odin is the stronger – or at least the more powerful – of the two.
As with Thor and Zeus, eventually, Zeus would win any fight between himself and Odin simply because he’s immortal.
Even if Odin were more powerful, he, like all Norse gods, could die.
Therefore, no matter how long it took, Zeus would eventually emerge victorious because he could not be killed.
The best Odin could hope for would be to trick Zeus and trap him somewhere he could never escape.
However, blow for blow, Zeus is probably the stronger of the two of them.
Can Zeus Lift Thor’s Hammer?
The most important thing to note about who can lift Thor’s hammer is that the rules are different in mythology and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In the original tales, lifting Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, was merely a matter of strength. Many people in the stories lifted Mjolnir, including:
- Thor’s sons
- Loki
- The dwarves who created it
- A giant who stole it
However, the Marvel Universe turned the hammer into a symbol of worthiness. The only beings who could lift the hammer were those who were “worthy” to do so.
To be worthy, a person must embody all the characteristics that make up a true hero:
- Strength
- A good heart
- Loyalty
- Compassion
- Leadership skills
- Etc.
Using mythic rules, Zeus likely could lift Thor’s hammer. He’s very strong, so it shouldn’t be difficult for him to wield Mjolnir.
Using MCU rules, Zeus wouldn’t be able to lift Thor’s hammer because he’s not a “worthy” hero. He’s often petty, vindictive, and cares more about himself than others.
Final Thoughts
While Zeus is the more powerful god overall, Thor is likely stronger. However, in a fight to the death, Zeus would win because he’s immortal.