HERA
Greek Mythology
Goddess of integrity in marriage.
Attributes: Peacock, Crown or Scepter
Roman: Juno
Daughter of Cronos and Rhea
Wife and lover of ZEUS
HERA became consumed by her jealousy over her husband’s infidelities. It caused her to be very vindictive towards ZEUS’ lovers and their children as well.
LETO was pursued relentlessly through out the entire Greek world. Finally, in the island of Delos she was able to rest and bare her children, APPOLO and ARTEMIS.
When IO, HERA’s very own mortal high priestess took up with her husband. It was because of this that HERA had her transformed into a cow that would forever be driven mad by the stinging of a fly.
SEMELE was yet another of ZEUS’ lovers, HERA tricked her into her own death at the hands of her lovers all mighty powers.
DIONYSOS, the son of SEMELE and ZEUS’, was driven mad. He caused two mortals, (ATHAMAS and INO) who tried to nurse the small god, to murder their own children in a fit of inanity.
Then there was HERAKLES (HERCULES to the Romans) who was fathered by ZEUS’ to help in an upcoming battle against the giants. HERA had sent two large snakes to kill him in his cradle, but even as a young infant HERAKLES was able to kill the snakes. It was much later in his life that HERA was able to finally succeed in driving him mad as she had many others before.
ZEUS’ and HERA had 3 children. ARES (the god of war), EILEITHYIA (the birth goddess), and HEBE (the cupbearer of the gods). HEPHAISTOS has two origins, either he is the child of ZEUS’ and HERA or HERA hersElf created the child, that is not clear.
HERA was widely worshiped in Crete and at Samos, which is where they say a great temple was built for her by the ARGONAUTS.