The Greek Goddess Hera: An Introduction

Hera is the Greek goddess of marriage and childbirth, wife and older sister of Zeus, and queen of Mount Olympus. She is also a direct descendent of Uranus (The Sky) and Gaia (The Earth), the original two beings in Greek mythology. Animals associated with Hera are the cow, representing her motherly nature, and the peacock, representing her magnificence and extravagance. Other symbols of Hera’s are the scepter, a wand representing power and royalty, and the diadem, a cloth headband or crown. In stories, Hera is often illustrated as seductive and beautiful, clever and wily, and powerful and jealous. I will further explore these characteristics as depicted in various myths and legends concerning Hera and the other gods and goddesses of Olympus.

I chose to research myths of Hera because I am interested in the portrayal of legendary women and I do have prior – though elementary – knowledge of the hierarchy of Mount Olympus. I read many stories in middle school, mostly about the adventures of the male heroes and gods, so I sought to learn more about Hera in particular, as she is frequently considered the most powerful and commanding of all the goddesses.

In Paestum, Italy, about 55 miles south of Naples, stand two temples built in 550 and 450 BC in Hera’s honor. The older temple, now called Temple of Neptune, is pictured to the right. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Paestum became a ghost town, and the shrines were not found again until 1752. These play an important cultural role even today – women longing for children have intercourse with their partners outside Hera’s temple in hopes the goddess of childbirth will grant them a child.

Juno is Hera’s Roman counterpart: the goddess of womankind, light, and birth. In ancient Rome, the parents of every infant male deposited a gold coin at her temple treasury. Juno also played a large role at traditional Roman weddings, where she was responsible for leading the bride to the groom, tying the marriage girdle, and rubbing the doorposts of the couple’s home with oil for good luck. The Temple of Juno at Agrigento, Sicily, built in the mid-5th century, is pictured below.

The twelve main gods and goddesses of Greek mythology ruling Mount Olympus are the children of Uranus and Gaia – Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia – their offspring – Athena, Ares, Hephaestus, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes – and Aphrodite, wife of first Hephaestus and later Ares. We will learn more about these supernatural beings, and Hera in particular, as we look deeper into the stories and legends of ancient Greece.

It’s a beautiful and windy night atop Mount Olympus and Harmonia, the young granddaughter of Zeus and Hera, is staying at the palace for the weekend while her parents, Ares and Aphrodite, are tending to important business. Of course, Harmonia is bubbling with excitement and can’t possibly sleep; though the hour is late, the constant whirling outside spins creative webs of stories in her racing mind. Hera, exhausted from a long day of ruling the lesser gods and goddesses, tucks the child into bed and whispers goodnight.

“But Grandma,” protests Harmonia. “Won’t you please tell me a story from when you were a girl? Daddy tells me you have such amazing tales in your past! I won’t sleep a wink unless you do.”

“Harmonia,” warns Hera, “you know I am a very busy goddess and I have little time for fun and games; there are important matters that require my divine attention nearly every minute of every hour here on Mount Olympus. However, as you are a guest in this palace and blood of my blood, I shall grant your wish; you deserve to know what powers run through your veins. They may one day be your own. Which story would you like to hear?”