Is there a sovereign deity?

When discussing the term sovereignty amongst the Olympians it is commonly thought that Zeus is the king of the Gods. However, in our lecture we examined the ways that this may not be the case, questions such as what are the characteristics that supposedly make Zeus the sovereign deity? Were examined is it his power over weather or pantheon order as there are many gods with claims to characteristics of importance with influence on the world. One of the main reasons that Zeus has been seen to be the sovereign deity over other Olympians is his power over weather. Ken Dowden examines this in his article on Zeus and the weather "sovereign ruler of the universe, controller of the weather, all seeing father of gods and men." (Dowden: p.1) Dowden looks at the extent to which Zeus is the most sovereign deity through his place in the pantheon and the ways that weather most importantly lightning has made him the father figure. However, when we discuss the mythology of other gods such as Athena and Dionysos we can claim these two have been closely linked with usurping the sovereignty of Zeus.
The use of weather is a strong case for Zeus being the most powerful of the deities, however, Dowden's arguments for the Zeus being at the head of the pantheon are not as sound. The stories of Athena being born through Zeus due to his fear of an immortal being born to overthrow him, does not suggest a paternal figure. Also, the image of Zeus being a deflowerer of women does not suggest a god who is faithful to Olympus and is in control of all the other deities. The picture seems a lot more unclear than Dowden would suggest and it is possible to see from a Christianised view that he does not represent a patriarchal figure in Olympus. The constant battles for sovereignty with other gods and the betrayals such as Hera in Heracles labours an fears of usurpation show him as less than almighty. Therefore, it is not possible to claim that Zeus represented a true sovereignty as Dowden would claim and it is more likely that he has been placed by mythology as the sovereign deity due to his initial overthrowing of his father and claiming of Olympus.
There are other sides to Zeus that have been claimed to be just as important as his use of weather and order in the pantheon as sovereign deity. The epiphet of Zeus as xenios (god of hospitality and guests)  has been suggested as another role that pushes Zeus as a sovereign deity. "Chronados the Sicilian legislator, insists on the duty of receiving stranger reverently 'because the worship of Zeus Xenios is common to all nations'" (Farnell: pg.74). However, it is a juxtaposing epiphet to his common indecencies throughout his mythology which suggests that Zeus is a much disguised God, which is often discussed by scholars through his anthropomorphic nature like his tendencies to appear in the mortal world in the guise of a bull, swan or oak.

Dowden K (2005) 'Zeus: Gods and Heroes of Mythology' Routledge p.1-2
Farnell, L.R (2010) 'The Cults of the Greek states: Vol.1' Cambridge University Press p.74-5