Why is the god of thunder often the "king of gods" or such a large figure in ancient polytheistic religions?

by NamelessNamek

Thor, Zeus, Tarhunt, Indra are all examples and there may be more. Why not a rain god if it's for crops? What is significant about the thunder itself that so many religions adopt thinder god as the highest.

Toen6

I like to point out that traditionally Odin is the head of the Norse gods, not Thor.