The Theogony is a poem by Hesiod describing the origins and genealogies of the Greek gods, composed c. 730–700 BC. It is written in the Epic dialect of Ancient Greek and contains 1022 lines. "Theogony" means "birth of the gods." This thousand-line poem comes from the end of the 8th century BCE. Most generally it is a hymn to Zeus, king of gods and men, but it encompasses the origin of the world (cosmogony) and the other gods. It represents prosperity, good luck, love, and honour.