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Greek Mythology > Immortals >
Hera
Hera HEE ruh
The Most Beautiful Goddess
One of the six Olympians, the daughter of Kronos (Cronos) and Rhea, Hera is the beautiful and powerful wife (and sister) of Zeus. Her other brothers and sisters are: Hades, Poseidon, Hestia and Demeter.
She is the most beautiful of the immortals, even more beautiful than the goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Her beauty is renewed each spring as she magically washes away the ware and worry of her immortal existance. Her name appears in many stories and she is often regarded as petty and unforgiving, especially in the case of Herakles (Hercules), but in the story of Iason (Jason) and the Argonauts she is compassionate and protective.
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Zeus and Io
The story of Zeus and Io is the sad story of infidelity and revenge. Zeus changed his beautiful lover, Io, into a black and white heifer to hide her from Hera. Hera saw through the ruse and sent Argos Panoptes (all seeing) to keep watch on Io and keep Zeus away. Hermes, doing the will of Zeus, killed Argos and thus received the name Argeiphontes (the murderer of Argos). Hera would not be deterred from her vengeance. She sent a gadfly to torment and constantly prod the poor heifer-maiden so that she might never rest or find comfort. Finally, Io was driven to the ends of the earth (i.e. Egypt) where she found peace. The eyes of Argos can still be seen in the tail of the peacock.
Hera is often confused with the Roman goddess, Juno.
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Hera in The Iliad (listed by book and line)
- 01.055 ...Hera inspired Akhilleus (Achilles) to call an assembly of the Danaans because of the strife that Apollon was causing in their ranks
- 01.195 ...Hera sends Athene (Athena) to calm Akhilleus (Achilles) before he provokes Agamemnon
- 01.208 ...Athene (Athena) speaks to Akhilleus (Achilles) and tells him that Hera has sent her to keep him from doing violence to Agamemnon
- 01.400 ...Akhilleus (Achilles) reminds his mother, Thetis, of the time she summoned Briareus (Briareos) to free Zeus from the shackles which Hera, Athene (Athena) and Poseidon had put on him
- 01.519 ...When Thetis asked Zeus to give honor to her son, Akhilleus (Achilles), he tells her that doing so would cause a conflict with Hera
- 01.523 ...Zeus is afraid that Hera will see Thetis and asks her to leave
- 01.536 ...Hera knows that Zeus has met with Thetis and reprimands him for keeping secrets
- 01.540 ...Hera speaks to Zeus about his secret meeting with Thetis and calls him ‘Treacherous One’
- 01.545 ...Zeus listens to Hera’s insults and tells her that he will tell her only what he deems necessary for her to know
- 01.551 ...Hera tells Zeus that she is being harsh with him because she is afraid that Thetis has won him over
- 01.561 ...Zeus tells Hera that he will do as he wishes and that if she continues to meddle in his affairs, none of the Immortals will be able to protect her from his wrath
- 01.568 ...After being threatened by Zeus, Hera sat in silent fear
- 01.572 ...Hephaistos (Hephaestus) speaks at a meeting of the Immortals and tries to comfort his mother, Hera, after Zeus has threatened her
- 01.595 ...Hera was pleased that her son, Hephaistos (Hephaestus), had tried to comfort her and accepted a goblet of nektar (nectar) from him
- 01.611 ...Zeus retires to his bed with Hera
- 02.014 ...Zeus tells the Oneiroi (Dreams) that Hera has convinced the other Olympians that the Trojans must be destroyed
- 02.031 ...The Oneiroi (Dreams) tell Agamemnon that Hera has convinced the other Olympians that the Trojans must be destroyed
- 02.068 ...Agamemnon called a meeting of the commanders and told them that the Oneiroi (Dreams) had told him that Hera has convinced the other Olympians that the Trojans must be destroyed
- 02.156 ...When the Trojans and the Argives decide to settle their differences by letting Menelaos (Menelaus) and Alexandros (Paris) fight, Hera speaks to Athene (Athena) and encourages her to interfere
- 04.006 ...Zeus speaks harshly to Hera about how she and Athene (Athena) have retreated from the battlefield while Aphrodite still fights by the side of her son, Aineias (Aeneas)
- 04.008 ...Zeus addresses Hera as ‘Hera of Argos’
- 04.020 ...After being berated by Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Hera mutter to each other and plot doom for the Trojans
- 04.024 ...Hera speaks angrily to Zeus because he seems to be undecided as to how to end the war with Troy
- 04.031 ...Zeus asks Hera why she hates Priam and the Trojans
- 04.050 ...Hera tells Zeus that he may sack her favorite cities, Sparta, Argos and Mykenai (Mycenae) but she will not be stopped from her intended destruction of Troy
- 04.059 ...Hera reminds Zeus that she is the first of the daughters of devious Kronos (Cronos)
- 05.392 ...Dione tells the wounded Aphrodite how Hera was wounded when Amphitryon stabbed her in the breast with a barbed arrow
- 05.418 ...Hera and Athene (Athena) mock the wounded Aphrodite
- 05.710 ...Hera berates Pallas Athene (Athena) when she sees Ares helping the Trojans
- 05.720 ...Hera, daughter of Kronos (Cronos), prepares her chariot on Mount Olympos (Olympus)
- 05.731 ...Hera, furious for battle, drives her chariot from Mount Olympos (Olympus)
- 05.748 ...Hera leaves Mount Olympos (Olympus) in her chariot by the gates of the sky which were guarded by the Hours
- 05.755 ...Hera asks Zeus if he would be angry if she struck Ares for helping the Trojans
- 05.763 ...Zeus tells Hera to send Athene (Athena) against Ares
- 05.767 ...Hera lashes her horses as she descends from the heavens to the earth
- 05.775 ...Hera leaves her horses where the rivers Simoeis (Simois) and Skamandros (Scamander) meet
- 05.784 ...Hera, in the guise of Stentor, urges the Argives into battle
- 05.832 ...Athene (Athena) tells Diomedes to attack Ares because he lied to her and Hera about helping the Argives
- 05.892 ...Zeus tells Ares to stop complaining about his wounds because his mother, Hera, is unstoppable in her anger
- 05.908 ...After wounding Ares on the battlefield, Hera of Argos and Athene (Athena) return to the house of Zeus on Mount Olympos (Olympus)
- 07.411 ...Agamemnon pledges to Zeus, lord of Hera, that there will be a temporary truce so that the dead soldiers can be taken from the battlefield
- 08.198 ...When Hera heard Hektor (Hector) boasting, Mount Olympos (Olympus) shook with her anger
- 08.200 ...Hera urges Poseidon to defy Zeus and assist the Danaans
- 08.207 ...Poseidon tells Hera that they should not defy Zeus because he is the strongest of the Olympians
- 08.350 ...Hektor (Hector) was so furious in battle that Hera urged Athene (Athena) to help the Danaans
- 08.381 ...Athene (Athena) attempts to persuade Hera that Zeus’ will is unknowable; Hera prepares her chariot to return to earth
- 08.392 ...Hera and Athene (Athena) leave Mount Olympos (Olympus) in Hera’s chariot by the gates of the sky which were guarded by the Hours
- 08.407 ...Zeus sends Iris to Hera and Athene (Athena) to warn them to turn their chariot back from the battlefield
- 08.423 ...Iris repeats the words of Zeus and commands Hera and Athene (Athena) to turn their chariot back from the battlefield
- 08.426 ...Hera tells Pallas Athene (Athena) that they must obey the command of Zeus and not interfere with the battle for Troy
- 08.436 ...The goddesses, Hera and Athene (Athena), return to Mount Olympos (Olympus) and seat themselves on golden couches with the other Immortals
- 08.444 ...On Mount Olympos (Olympus), Hera and Athene (Athena) sit away from Zeus
- 08.447 ...On Mount Olympos (Olympus), Zeus asks Hera and Athene (Athena) why they are so sullen
- 08.457 ...After being berated by Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Hera mutter to each other and plot doom for the Trojans
- 08.461 ...Hera tells Zeus that she will give good counsel to the Danaans but not interfere with the fighting at Troy
- 08.470 ...Zeus tells Hera that on the next day Hektor (Hector) will kill more Argives
- 08.484 ...Hera silently accepts Zeus’ decision to give Hektor (Hector) glory at the expense of the Argives
- 09.254 ...Before Akhilleus (Achilles) left for Troy, his father, Peleus, told him that Athene (Athena) and Hera would give him strength but only he could control the anger in his proud heart
- 10.005 ...Zeus is referred to as ‘lord of Hera’
- 10.329 ...The spy, Dolon, is promised the horses and chariot of Akhilleus (Achilles) if he successfully invades the camp of the Danaans; Hektor (Hector) swears an oath by Zeus, lord of Hera, to give Dolon these rewards
- 11.045 ...As Agamemnon dressed for battle, Hera and Athene (Athena) caused thunder to clash about him to show their approval and protection
- 11.271 ...As the wounded Agamemnon raged through the battle-lines, pains racked his body like birth pangs caused by Hera’s daughters
- 13.154 ...Hektor (Hector) calls to the Trojans and says that he is driven on by the greatest of all gods, the lord of Hera
- 13.826 ...Hektor (Hector) taunts Aias saying that if he had been a son of Zeus and Hera and honored like Apollon and Athene (Athena) all the Akhaians (Achaeans) would die on his spear
- 14.153 ...As she sat atop Mount Olympos (Olympus), Hera was happy to see Poseidon fighting on the side of the Akhaians (Achaeans) but was worried that Zeus might interfere
- 14.157 ...As Poseidon fought on the side of the Akhaians (Achaeans), Hera was afraid that Zeus would see his brother from where he sat on Mount Ida
- 14.159 ...Hera was undecided as to what she should do to distract Zeus while Poseidon fought against the Trojans
- 14.165 ...Hera went to her private chambers and dressed for her encounter with Zeus
- 14.187 ...Hera wants to ask Aphrodite for help but is afraid that she would refuse
- 14.193 ...Aphrodite promises to help Hera in any way she can
- 14.194 ...Aphrodite refers to Hera as ‘daughter of Kronos (Cronos)’ and says that she will help her in any way she can
- 14.197 ...Hera asks Aphrodite for loveliness and grace so that she can seduce Zeus
- 14.213 ...Aphrodite says that she will help Hera seduce Zeus
- 14.218 ...Aphrodite gives Hera a love charm to entice Zeus
- 14.222 ...Hera took the love charm from Aphrodite and hid it in her clothing
- 14.225 ...Hera descends Mount Olympos (Olympus) and flies to the island of Lemnos to find Hypnos (Sleep)
- 14.231 ...Hera promises Hypnos (Sleep), the brother of Thanatos (Death), many gifts if he will use his powers on Zeus
- 14.243 ...Hypnos (Sleep) tells Hera that he is hesitant to use his powers on Zeus because Nyx (Night) had to rescue him the last time he did such a thing
- 14.264 ...Hera promises to give Hypnos (Sleep) one of the Graces in marriage if he will use his powers on Zeus
- 14.277 ...Hera swears on the River Styx that she will give Hypnos (Sleep) Pasithea, one of the younger Graces, in marriage
- 14.292 ...Hera goes to the peak of Mount Ida to find Zeus
- 14.297 ...Atop Mount Ida, Zeus speaks to Hera and asks why she has come from Mount Olympos (Olympus) to see him
- 14.300 ...When Hera encounters Zeus on Mount Ida, she tells him that she is on her way to see Tethys
- 14.312 ...When Hera encounters Zeus on Mount Ida, he asks her to stay so that they can renew their love
- 14.329 ...Hera tells Zeus that it would be shameful if the other Immortals saw them on Mount Ida
- 14.343 ...Zeus tells Hera that he will surround them with a golden cloud so the other Immortals cannot see them
- 14.360 ...Hypnos (Sleep) goes to Poseidon and tells him that it is safe to fight on the side of the Danaans because Hera has beguiled Zeus
- 15.005 ...Zeus awoke on Mount Ida with Hera at his side and realized that he had been tricked
- 15.013 ...On Mount Ida, Zeus threatens Hera with violence when he realizes that she has beguiled him
- 15.034 ...Hera swears to Zeus, by heaven, earth and the water of Styx, that Poseidon entered the battle between the Trojans and Danaans without her prompting
- 15.049 ...Zeus sends Hera to fetch Iris so that he may send a warning to Poseidon
- 15.078 ...Obeying Zeus, Hera leaves Mount Ida and goes to Mount Olympos (Olympus) as quickly as a thought
- 15.083 ...Winged Hera arrives on Mount Olympos (Olympus) to find Iris
- 15.087 ...After arriving on Mount Olympos (Olympus), Hera accepts a cup from the goddess, Themis
- 15.089 ...The goddess, Themis, says that Hera looks frightened
- 15.091 ...The goddess, Themis, knows that Zeus has frightened Hera
- 15.092 ...The goddess Hera answers divine Themis but will not admit that she was threatened by Zeus
- 15.100 ...Hera sits with the Immortals and reminds them that it is foolish to defy Zeus
- 15.101 ...As she sat on Mount Olympos (Olympus), Hera was smiling but the other Immortals knew that she was troubled
- 15.130 ...Athene (Athena) tries to reason with Ares and reminds him that Hera has just returned from Zeus with a warning to the Immortals not to interfere with the war at Troy
- 15.143 ...Hera asks the messengers, Apollon and Iris, to speak with her in private so she can give them instructions from Zeus
- 15.149 ...After delivering Zeus’ message to Apollon and Iris, lady Hera returned to her throne
- 15.214 ...After Iris delivers Zeus’ warning to Poseidon, he replies that if Zeus will not let Athene (Athena), Hera, Hermes and Hephaistos (Hephaestus) destroy Troy there will be no healing of the anger between the two brothers, i.e. Zeus and Poseidon
- 16.088 ...Akhilleus (Achilles) tells Patroklos (Patroclus) that if he does not pursue the Trojans after he has driven them from the ships, the thundering lord of Hera, i.e. Zeus, might allow them to fight together for a greater victory
- 16.432 ...As Zeus watches his son, Sarpedon, and Patroklos (Patroclus) fight, he expresses his sorrow to Hera that his son is fated to die
- 16.439 ...Hera scolds Zeus for wanting to save the life of his son, Sarpedon, when he is clearly fated to die in battle
- 18.119 ...Akhilleus (Achilles) speaks to his mother, Thetis, and says that he will accept his fate because not even the strength of Herakles (Heracles) could avert the anger of Hera
- 18.168 ...Hera sent Iris with a secret message to Akhilleus (Achilles) about the death of Patroklos (Patroclus)
- 18.184 ...Iris tells Akhilleus (Achilles) that Hera has sent her to him unbeknownst to the other Immortals
- 18.239 ...Hera drove the unwilling Helios into the depths of Okeanos (Oceanus) so that the Trojans and the Argives would stop fighting
- 18.356 ...Zeus realizes that Hera has roused the fighting spirit of the Akhaians (Achaeans) after the death of Patroklos (Patroclus)
- 18.360 ...Hera tells Zeus that she hates the Trojans and will weave sorrows for them
- 18.396 ...Hephaistos (Hephaestus) refers to Hera as ‘my shameless mother’
- 19.096 ...Regarding the birth of Herakles (Heracles), Hera deluded Zeus
- 19.106 ...Hera prompted Zeus to swear that the next male child born of his bloodline would be the ruler of all those dwelling about him; Zeus meant Herakles (Heracles), but Hera tricked him and Eurystheus was the next male child born of the bloodline of Zeus
- 19.111 ...Hera makes Zeus repeat the oath he has sworn, i.e. that the next male child born of his bloodline would be the ruler of all those dwelling about him; Zeus meant Herakles (Heracles), but Hera tricked him and Eurystheus was the next male child born of the bloodline of Zeus
- 19.114 ...Hera left Mount Olympos (Olympus) to make sure that the birth of Herakles (Hercules) was delayed
- 19.120 ...Hera tells Zeus that Eurystheus, and not Herakles (Heracles), was the first male child born of his bloodline
- 19.407 ...Hera gives voice to the horse, Xanthos (Xanthus), and he speaks to Akhilleus (Achilles)
- 20.033 ...Hephaistos (Hephaestus), Hera, Athene (Athena), Poseidon and Hermes descend Mount Olympos (Olympus) to join the Akhaians (Achaeans) on the battlefield
- 20.070 ...Hera faces Artemis on the battlefield
- 20.112 ...Hera tells Athene (Athena) and Poseidon that they must prevent Aineias (Aeneas) from fighting Akhilleus (Achilles)
- 20.133 ...Poseidon tells Hera to withdraw until Ares or Apollon enters the battle
- 20.309 ...Hera tells Poseidon that he can protect Aineias (Aeneas) but she and Athene (Athena) have sworn oaths that will not allow them to help any of the Trojans
- 21.006 ...As the Trojans tried to flee from Akhilleus (Achilles), Hera let a mist fall around them to prevent their escape
- 21.328 ...Hera calls to Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to stop the river Xanthos (Xanthus) from harming Akhilleus (Achilles)
- 21.342 ...Hera tells Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to set the battlefield ablaze
- 21.368 ...The river Xanthos (Xanthus) calls to Hera and swears to not help the Trojans if she will make Hephaistos (Hephaestus) stop his fiery assault
- 21.377 ...Hera tells Hephaistos (Hephaestus) to stop his fiery assault on the river Xanthos (Xanthus)
- 21.384 ...Hera restrained the river Xanthos (Xanthus) and her son, Hephaistos (Hephaestus)
- 21.418 ...Hera urges Athene (Athena) to attack Aphrodite as she leads Ares from the battlefield
- 21.420 ...Hera speaks to Athene (Athena) and calls her ‘Atrytone’
- 21.421 ...Hera refers to Aphrodite as a dog-fly as the goddess of Love assists Ares from the battlefield
- 21.479 ...Hera, consort of Zeus, berates Artemis for having the audacity to face her in battle
- 21.489 ...Hera attacks Artemis on the battlefield
- 21.512 ...Artemis goes to Zeus after being driven from the battlefield by Hera
- 24.025 ...As Akhilleus (Achilles) continues to abuse the dead body of Hektor (Hector), Hera, Poseidon and Athene (Athena) have no pity for the fallen Trojan
- 24.055 ...Hera answers the protests of Apollon about the way Akhilleus (Achilles) is dishonoring the dead body of Hektor (Hector)
- 24.065 ...Zeus explains to Hera that Hektor (Hector) had been loved by the Immortals and the people of Troy
- 24.101 ...Hera comforts Thetis on Mount Olympos (Olympus)
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Hera in The Odyssey (listed by book and line)
- 04.513 ...When Menelaos (Menelaus) questioned Proteus, he was told that Hera saved Agamemnon after he left Troy
- 08.465 ...After meeting Nausikaa, Odysseus wishes to Zeus, husband of Hera, that he will see his home again
- 12.072 ...Kirke (Circe) tells Odysseus that Iason (Jason) had been saved because of Hera’s love for him
- 15.111 ...Menelaos (Menelaus) tells Telemakhos (Telemachus) that he hopes Zeus, husband of Hera, will grant him a safe homecoming
- 15.180 ...Telemakhos (Telemachus) wishes that Zeus, husband of Hera, will grant him a safe homecoming
- 20.070 ...Penelope thinks of the daughters of Pandareos (Pandareus) and how Hera gave them beauty, chaste Artemis gave them stature and Athene (Athena) gave them skill
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