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Hera

Sculpture of the Greek goddess Hera
Sculpture of Hera by Unknown.

History >> Ancient Greece >> Greek Mythology

Goddess of: Women, marriage, and childbirth
Symbols: Pomegranate, lily, cow, cuckoo, lutus, and peacock
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Children: Ares, Eris, Hebe, Eileithyia, and Hephaestus
Spouse: Zeus (also her brother)
Abode: Mount Olympus
Roman name: Juno

Hera is a goddess in Greek mythology and one of the Twelve Olympians. As the wife of Zeus, Hera was considered the queen of Mount Olympus. She is most associated as the goddess of women, marriage, and childbirth.

How was Hera usually pictured?

Hera was usually pictured wearing flowing robes, a crown, and holding a lotus scepter. Sometimes she was shown sitting on a throne or riding a chariot drawn by peacocks.

What powers and skills did she have?

As the Queen of Olympus and a major goddess, Hera was considered very powerful. The women of Greece prayed to Hera for protection during childbirth, good health, and to aide them in their marriages. She also had power over the skies and could bless the people with clear skies or curse them with storms.

Birth of Hera

Hera was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, the king and queen of the Titans. After being born, Hera was swallowed by her father Cronus because he was scared that his children would someday overthrow him. Hera was eventually saved by her younger brother Zeus.

Queen of Mount Olympus

Hera was courted by her brother Zeus who was the leader of the gods on Mount Olympus. At first she was not interested, but Zeus tricked her into marrying him by disguising himself as a wounded cuckoo bird. Hera rescued the cuckoo bird and ended up marrying Zeus.

Revenge on Zeus

Hera was a very jealous and vengeful wife. She wanted Zeus all to herself, but Zeus cheated on her constantly with other goddesses and with mortal women. Hera often took out her revenge on the women who Zeus loved and the children they had with Zeus.

Heracles

One example of Hera's revenge is the story of the hero Heracles who was Zeus's son by the mortal woman Alcmene. Hera first tried to kill Heracles as a baby by sending two serpents to his bed, but this failed when Heracles killed the serpents. She later caused Heracles to go mad and kill his wife and children. As punishment for killing his family, Heracles was forced to perform the Twelve Labors. Hera made these labors as difficult as possible, hoping that Heracles would be killed.

Interesting Facts About the Greek Goddess Hera
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Works Cited

History >> Ancient Greece >> Greek Mythology



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