Zeus – deity of the sky, thunderbolt, thunder, law, order and justice. In ancient Greece he was known as the most forceful figure in pantheon, who oversaw the universe. Ancient sculptores presented him mostly in standing pose with a thunderbolt levelled in his raised right hand. The thunderbolt has been donated him by Cyclops and from this point he had ability over it. Zeus used it in many fights. According to Hesiod’s poem Zeus, in Greek believes, was a wise, just, carefree, but also incalculable god. He could get angry very quickly. In this moments he brought furious storms and catastrophes. The only one with who he wanted to shared his lightning was his dear offspring Athena, the goddess of wisdom, skill and battle.
Perun – the highest deity in Slavic pantheon, the ruler of thunderbolts and thunders. He was also a god of battle. Perun was showed as a wild man with a copper hair and an weapon (or hammer). In many tales he fight with dragon or a giant snake, which presents powers of evil. Prince Vladimir the Great in X century tried to made Perun the only diety in Kievan Rus’, but it turned out that Christianity is a better choice.
Thanks to Marvel Cinematic Universe (e.g. films: Avengers, Capitan America: The Winter Soldier, Thor), today, the most popular ancient god is Thor. In Norse mythology he was a son of Odin and Jord, and one of the most forceful dietes. He was showed as a big figure with red hair and eyes of thunderbolt. His most recognisable attribute is a large weapon, which always returns to his lord. Thor was very popular among his believers (usually depicted as a fearless protector against bad). As well as Perun Thor fight with reptile(dark forces). At the day of Ragnarok (twilight of the dietes) Thor will assassinate the snake, but he will pass away from his poison. This deity was very valid in mans believes, as a matter of fact his name is connected to many places and even to the day of the week – Thursday means “Thor’s day”, the day of Thor.
In the past storm, thunderbolt, thunder were something extraordinary and scary. In people’s minds these phenomena were always related with powerful person, who govern the creation and must be revered. That’s why Thunder deities were so high in the mythological hierarchy.