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Plagued by jealousy, intrigued by power, and obsessed with youthful beauty, Hera reigned as the patriarchal Queen of the gods. Born of Cronus, and Rhea (the original King and Queen of all things immortal), Hera was the Goddess of marriage. This is a bit ironic considering that her own marriage to Zeus was perpetually in peril. You see, the all powerful Zeus was the king, and far more powerful than Hera, his sister/wife. Though she was renowned for her beauty, this did not deter Zeus from having a wandering eye. Numerous affairs on her husbands part led to many a downfall of both mortals and immortals, as the wrath of Hera was both feared and constant. Through all of this, though, it seems that Hera has retained upon herself a sour opinion from others.

Her contempt for those whom her husband strayed with was understandable. Hera did not fall in love with her husband, he was the one that pursued the relationship. He tricked Hera into loving him. In the guise of a wounded bird, Hera cradled him to her chest, allowing the God of Gods to strike. They were married, and throughout the marriage, Zeus seduced many a beautiful maiden, or goddess, or mortal, or immortal; basically whomever he desired at the moment. Even Hera's annual dip into the fountain of youth could not keep her hubby from straying to younger and more beautiful pastures.

If any of the Gods were considered irately vengeful, Hera may have been the guiltiest of that charge. She was angry, for many reasons and seemingly was disgusted with anyone that crossed her path, whether they wronged her or not. Those that did evoke the wrath of Hera though, were among the sorriest souls of all of ancient lore. She was not the only wife of Zeus, however, and bore him a mere three children among the reported billions that were born from him. Her children were not even some of the most notable immortals, perhaps another fine reason for Hera's perpetual attitude. Eileithyia was the Goddess of Childbirth, Hebe was the Goddess of Youth, and perhaps the most famous The God of war, Ares. Hera also bore a child all by herself, in an effort to anger her husband; Hephaestus, who was the God of fire, and married to the famed Aphrodite.

Despite her mean nature, Hera was loved and heralded by many, including those of whom she punished, or harassed. She was loved by Heracles, even though throughout his life she continually tried to kill him (another one of her hubby's illegitimate children). Hera was gorgeous, and vain, and she ruled the earth. She was only second in power to the thunder-wielding Zeus, who was, of course the most powerful of all the Gods.

Just how spiteful was the goddess? Strife may have been Hera's most favored ally, second only to that of revenge; ~Hera drove Heracles insane, and made him kill his entire family. ~She also 'killed' Heracles, with trickery from his second wife. ~Hera played a huge part in the Trojan war, wreaking havoc on the poor Trojans because Paris made her angry over choosing Aprodite as the most beautiful of Goddesses. Hera was also partly raised by the freshwater Nymph's, because her father swallowed her and her siblings. This suggests that poor Hera had a tough life since she was born, so let's give the poor woman a break!

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