God (male deity)

For other uses, see God (disambiguation) and Names of God.

A god, as a male deity, contrasts with female deities, or "goddesses". While the term 'goddess' specifically refers to a female deity, the plural 'gods' can be applied to all gods collectively, regardless of gender.

In most polytheistic religions, both in history and in the present, male deities had the more prominent role. The Greek and Roman pantheon was ruled by Zeus and Jupiter.

When Ancient Egyptian religion developed closer to monotheism, it was Amun, a male god, who rose to the most prominent place. War gods were, like the rulers of the pantheon, typically male, too; Ares/Mars and Toutatis are obvious examples.

Examples

• Ikenga, Alusi of success in Igbo Odinani
• Dyeus, the sky father in Indo-European tradition
  • Jupiter
  • Dyaus Pita
  • Zeus Pater

See also

• Mother goddess
• God and gender
• Goddess
• List of deities
• Patriarchy
• Polytheism
• Pantheism
• Sky father