by John Greece

Created on: March 17, 2008

According to the Greek Mythology, Hera was Goddess of the marriage, of the air, of the sky, protector of women, sister and wife of Zeus. Hera identified with foreign Goddesses too. As the legal wife of Zeus, she was also the Queen of the Olympian Gods.

One of the characteristics that featured of Hera as personality is cunning and jealousy. A fact, proved by the revenge actions against to women who have had sexual relationship with Zeus, who was enough infidel.

According to the mythology, Hera was born in Samos or in Evia. Her father was Cronus and her mother was Rea, both of them were Titanic Gods.

Hera's destiny was not make any different from her brothers while the myth says that Cronus, after her birth, swallow her because rumors report him that someone from his close family will take over the leadership of Gods.

Since Zeus become the master of the Olympian Gods ask Hera to married him but Hera was denied his proposal. Zeus could not accept the rejection because he was in crazy love with her, which incidentally was his sister.

So, one day turned into an owl, and pretending himself as an injured fell front of Hera's legs, in order to notice him. Hera took the bird into her arms, without assuming anything and then Zeus appeared with his normal view and as powerful as he was undermined Hera's reactions and took the promise of marriage.

From the marriage of Hera and Zeus born Ares, Hebe and Ileithia. According to Homer, Hephaestus was their son too and according to Hesiod, Hera gave birth alone in Hephaestus without the participation of Zeus.

Another one, not so popular myth is the judgment of Paris (prince of Troy and brother of Hector), that marked the beginning of the Trojan War. The myth speaks about a contest, which took place the three most beautiful Olympian Goddess. Aphrodite, Athena and Hera.

Some of the most well-known symbols of Hera were the scepter, the pomegranate, the owl and some flowers. People, in order to thank and honor Hera, organized festivities in several cities in ancient Greece which called the Heraea.

The brightest Heraea held in Argos, Samos and Olympia. The temples in honor of Hera had named Heraeum. The most important Heraeum in Greece is the Heraeum of Samos.

Pseudo-Apollodorus, Strabon, Pausanias and many more great ancient Greek scientist made special reports about Hera in their creations.

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