Hera (Queen of Heaven)
godThe queen of Olympus and goddess of marriage who defended the institution of matrimony with a wrath that shaped half the myths.
The Myth
Hera was the eldest daughter of Kronos and Rhea, raised by the Titans Oceanus and Tethys during the war with the Titans. She married Zeus and became queen of Olympus, presiding over marriage, childbirth, and the legitimacy of heirs. Her mythology is dominated by her rage against Zeus's lovers and illegitimate children — but this rage, properly understood, is the defence of her domain. Marriage was a sacred institution (hieros gamos), and every infidelity was an assault on cosmic order. She persecuted Heracles from birth to death, sent madness that caused him to kill his children, opposed him at every turn. She punished Io by setting the hundred-eyed Argus to guard her, tormented Leto by forbidding any land from sheltering her, and drove Dionysus's foster parents mad. Yet Hera was also a figure of immense dignity: she was worshipped with deep reverence at Argos, Samos, and throughout the Peloponnese. The Heraion at Argos was one of the greatest temples in Greece.
Fun Fact
Hera renewed her virginity every year by bathing in the spring of Kanathos at Nauplion — a ritual of eternal renewal.
Explore Further
Dionysus
godGod of wine, ritual madness, and theatrical performance. Dionysus was the only Olympian born of a...
Dionysus (Twice-Born)
godThe god born twice — once from his mother's womb and once from Zeus's thigh — who brought wine,...
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Hera Teleia
godAn epithet of Hera as goddess of marriage and its fulfilment, worshipped as the divine model of the...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...
Zeus (King)
godZeus was the king of the Olympian gods, ruler of the sky, wielder of the thunderbolt — the supreme...
Argus Panoptes
creatureArgus Panoptes was a giant with a hundred eyes covering his body — the all-seeing watchman whom...
Heracles
heroThe greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his...
Heracles (Divine Hero)
heroThe son of Zeus and Alcmene who performed twelve impossible labours and was the only hero to...
Heracles (Labours)
heroHeracles performed twelve seemingly impossible labours as penance for killing his family in a...
Kronos
titanKing of the Titans who ruled during the mythological Golden Age. Kronos overthrew his father...
Kronos (Golden Age King)
titanThe king of the Titans who ruled during the Golden Age and devoured his children to prevent...