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grew out of the worship. Many towns worshipped Hera as their town's goddess, these included the city states of Argos and Mycenae, public celebrations called Heraia would take place on a regular basis in honour of the goddess. There were other notable temples consecrated to Hera at Corinth, Delos, Olympia, Paestum, Perachora, Sparta and Tiryns. One of the most important places of worship though was at Samos, and displays just how honoured Hera was. In 800BC an enclosed temple was built, where the normal build was for an open roofed sanctuary. A series of temples to Hera was built on the same site, including the Heraion which was one of the largest Greek temples built. Just as important to the number and size of the temples built to Hera in one site, is the range of offertory items which have been found on the site. Items of offering have been found which have originated in Armenia, Assyria, Babylon, Egypt and Iran, which is indicative of the widespread nature of Hera worship.

Within Greek mythology, more often than not Hera is seen in the role as a vindictive woman, occasionally with just cause, but other stories show how even in being vindictive Hera could be helpful and kind to those she favoured. Hera was certainly jealous of Zeus' extra-matrimonial affairs, and would punish her rivals and their children, be they mortal or gods, as she saw fit. No more is this apparent than in the stories of Heracles (Hercules).

Heracles was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, and even when Acmene was pregnant with Heracles, Hera attempted to prevent the birth by tying Acmene's legs together. Despite Heracles being named in Hera's honour, as it means Hera-famous', she was consistently seeking his demise. Whilst Heracles was still an infant, Hera sent two serpents to kill him in his cot, Heracles of course throttled both of them. It was Hera who initiated Heracles Twelve tasks, and at each stage sought to make each task more difficult, often providing deadly enemies. At the same time Hera is credited with the creation of the Milky Way in some stories, believing that each star was spurt of her breast milk, when she found she had been tricked into breast feeding Heracles.

Despite being the matriarch, was not a kindly mother figure to her children or step children. Her children in matrimony with Zeus were Ares (God of War); Eileithyia (Goddess of Childbirth); Eris (Goddess of Discord) and Hebe (Goddess of Youth). Some stories relate how Hera gave birth without an actual union with

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