Hera

Hera, also known as the Queen of the Gods, was the Greek goddess of marriage, childbirth, and family. She was married to her brother, Zeus, which made family reunions quite awkward.

Summary

Hera was a formidable goddess who took her responsibilities seriously. Her duties included presiding over weddings, blessing newborns, and keeping families together. She also enjoyed punishing wayward mortals and even other gods who dared to challenge her authority.

Appearance

Hera was often depicted as a tall, beautiful woman with a regal bearing. She had golden hair that flowed in waves down to her hips, and her eyes glowed with a fierce intensity. She was often depicted as wearing a long, flowing robe and a crown of gold.

Family Life

As mentioned earlier, Hera was married to Zeus, which was complicated, to say the least. Zeus had a penchant for straying from the marital bed, which caused Hera no end of anguish. She often punished Zeus’s lovers, as well as their children, just to show him who was boss.

Hera and Zeus had several children together, including Ares, the god of war, and Hephaestus, the god of craftsmen. However, Hephaestus was born deformed, which embarrassed Hera to no end. She threw him off Mount Olympus, but he survived and came back with a vengeance.

Relationships with Mortals

Hera was not a goddess you wanted to cross. She had a vindictive streak a mile wide and was quick to anger. Many mortals who displeased her found themselves on the receiving end of her wrath. Some of her favorite ways to punish mortals included turning them into animals or causing them to go insane.

However, Hera did have some favorites among the mortals. She was known to show more compassion to those who were loyal to their families and who treated women well. She also had a soft spot for good marriages and was said to bless those who wed for love.

Legacy

Overall, Hera was a complex goddess who embodied many different aspects of human nature. She was loving and nurturing, but also fiercely protective of her domain. She was a force to be reckoned with, and even the other gods respected her power.