Definition: The word "Leontes" comes from Greek, meaning "great". It's used in ancient Greek mythology to represent Zeus, ruler of the gods. In Greek myth, Leontes ruled over all Greece for 10 years until his son Perseus killed him with a stone, thus starting a civil war. The war was so intense that it was called "the war of the giants." In this story, Leontes was also the father of many gods and goddesses. The term is often used in modern times as a symbol for power or might, but its meaning has shifted over time due to changes in Greek mythology.