Zelus (Zelos; Zeal, Strife) Greek The personification of rivalry, envy, jealousy, and eagerness; a demigod or lesser god; son of the Titan Pallas and the water Nymph Styx; brother of Nike (Victory), Bia (Force), and Cratus (Strength).

Zelus (Zelos; Zeal, Strife) Greek The personification of rivalry, envy, jealousy, and eagerness; a demigod or lesser god; son of the Titan Pallas and the water Nymph Styx; brother of Nike (Victory), Bia (Force), and Cratus (Strength). With his sisters and brother, Zelus stood beside the throne of Zeus, carrying out the great god's commands and guarding his home against intruders. When their mother, Styx, sided with Zeus in his battle with his father, Cronus, and the Titans, she brought Zelus, Nike, Cratus, and Bia into service with her, though their father was a Titan. Zelus was seen as a force, often a negative influence, that encouraged rivalry, that separated families due to envy and that caused an almost blind drive by some people to surpass the abilities and successes of others. People used his name as an oath, sometimes almost a curse. He was seen as a companion to the spirits of competition, jealousy, and strife. Zelus' Roman counterpart was Invidia, the goddess of envy.