Aspolytheistic systems evolve, there is a tendency for onedeity to achieve preeminence asking of the gods,^{[citation needed]} for example by being their(sky) father. This tendency can parallel the growth ofhierarchical systems ofpolitical power in which amonarch eventually comes to assume ultimateauthority for human affairs.^{[citation needed]} Other gods come to serve in aDivine Council orpantheon; such subsidiarycourtier-deities are usually linked by family ties from the union of a single husband or wife, or else from anandrogynous divinity who is responsible forthe creation.

Historically, subsequent social events, such as invasions or shifts in power structures, can cause the previous king of the gods to be displaced by a new divinity, who assumes the displaced god's attributes and functions.^{[citation needed]} Frequently the king of the gods has at least one wife who is the queen of the gods.

According tofeminist theories of the replacement of originalmatriarchies bypatriarchies, malesky gods tend to supplant female (motherly)earth goddesses and achieveomnipotence.^[1]

There is also a tendency for kings of the gods to assume more and more importance,syncretistically assuming the attributes and functions of lesser divinities, who come to be seen as aspects of the single supreme deity.

Examples of kings of the gods in different cultures include:

• In theMesopotamianAnunnaki,Enlil displacesAnu and is in turn replaced byMarduk.^[2]
• In theAncient Egyptian religion,Amun was the official god of thePharaoh and the people ofEgypt.
• In theCanaanitepantheon,Baal (Hadad) displacesEl.
• In theHurrian/Hittite pantheon,Teshub orTarḫunz orArinna displacesKumarbi.
• In theArmenian Ar, later –Aramazd.
• InHinduism, the King of the Gods isIndra, The God of Thunder and lightning and the ruler of heaven.^[3][4]

• In theAncient Greek system ofOlympian Gods,Cronus displacesUranus, andZeus in turn displaces Cronus.
• InNorse mythology,Odin assumes the role as theAllfather or King of the Gods, but Norse mythology has multiple tribes of Gods such as theÆsir andVanir, and Odin starts off as only the leader of the former.
• Ancient IranianAhura Mazda of theZoroastrians.
• Dravidian religions:^[5] theSupreme Being in Dravidian religion was usuallySivaperuman and had supreme gods and goddesses based on lands includingMurugan,Kadalon,Vendhan,Korravai,Thirumal.

The leaders of the various pantheons include:

The following are the characteristics shared by virtually all Kings of the gods:

• Creation: Most of these gods derive their power from the fact that they created the world, formulated its laws and/or created life forms, notably humans. Examples:Ra,Odin.
• Dominion over the sky: Many such deities hold control over all aspects of the sky, such asweather,rain, thunderstorms,air, winds and celestial objects like stars. They also control some aspects of Earth likeharvest,fertility,plants or mountains. Examples:Zeus,Hadad,Jupiter.
• Lightning bolts as personal weapons: Commonly seen with sky gods.
• Divine Wisdom: Some Kings of Gods possess superior wisdom andclairvoyance, compared to most beings. Examples: Ra, Odin.
• God of the Sun,Daylight or Celestial Fire: Some kings of gods are associated with the Sun, as it is life giving and is a powerful symbol of order. They are said to be in charge of celestial fire, which is purifying by nature. Daylight is also an important phenomenon, as most events take place under its presence. Examples: Ra,Dyaus Pitr.
• Conquest, Law, Justice, Order,Time and Fate: Most kings of gods have the ability to control the events of battle and grant victory to those who deserve it. They are seen as paragons of law and promote order. They are seen as powerful manifestations of their respective civilizations. Some gods either possess great skill in war or tremendous physical strength. Some of them have some control over time and regulate it withseasons. Others have limited control over the fate of a human. Examples: Zeus, Odin, Ra, Jupiter.
• Divine authority over other gods: This may be because the concerned head of the pantheon is the father or creator of many gods and goddesses who swear allegiance to him. As a result, the king of the gods makes sure that all deities function properly, punish them for misdeeds, grant or take away immortality from lesser gods etc. Examples: Zeus, Odin,Enlil.
• Divine rival: In some cases, there may be another god, who is equal in supernatural power and thinks he can do a better job than the current king. This often results in conflict, and in extreme cases, war. Examples:Ra and Apophis;Osiris, Set and Horus;Apollo vs Python; Mitra and theDaeva; Zeus andPoseidon;Cronos andUranus;Typhon and Zeus; etc.

• Henotheism
• Kingship and kingdom of God

• Campo, Juan E. (2009).Encyclopedia of Islam. Infobase Publishing.ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1.
• Hughes, Aaron W. (2013)."Setting the Stage: Pre-Islamic Arabia".Muslim Identities: An Introduction to Islam. Columbia University Press. pp. 17–40.ISBN 978-0-231-53192-4.