My pals often ask me why I will swear "by Jove". Some of them quite honestly have never even heard the name "Jove". So I have to explain it all to them.
For thousands of years, when one swore at all, it was generally to the great gods. And in the western world, the greatest god of them all was Jove, who is also known as Jupiter, and also known as Zeus.
Today, when one swears, then it's generally by the name of one of the (supposedly) monotheistic deities. Either God, or Allah, or Jesus, etc.
Since I don't buy into the hateful, intolerant monotheism currently running this world's civilizations into the muck, I harken back to older times. Therefore, "Jove".
From Shakespeare (All's Well that Ends Well):
DIANA.
'Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth, But the plain single vow that is vow'd true. What is not holy, that we swear not by, But take the Highest to witness: then, pray you, tell me, If I should swear by Jove's great attributes I lov'd you dearly, would you believe my oaths When I did love you ill? This has no holding, To swear by him whom I protest to love That I will work against him: therefore your oaths Are words and poor conditions; but unseal'd,-- At least in my opinion.
Sophocles:
Bear up, my child, bear up; Zeus who oversees and directs all things is still mighty in heaven.
Hesiod:
It is not possible either to trick or escape the mind of Zeus.
Aristophanes:
Open your mouth and shut your eyes and see what Zeus will send you.
For about one thousand years there was a mighty temple to Zeus in Greece at Olympia. When the Christian emperor Theodosius in a reflection of his hateful, intolerant religion decided to outlaw the Olympic games, he also had the temple burned--thus, one of the great works of art of the ancient world was destroyed, and thousands of years of traditional culture and native worship was eliminated in the name of hatred.
