Hera

Hera is one of the six original Olympians, i.e. a daughter of Kronos (Cronos) and Rheia (Rhea). She is the wife (and sister) of Zeus and considered to be the queen of the Immortals. Her other brothers and sisters are: Hades, Poseidon, Histia (Hestia) and Demeter.

Hera 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 wear and worry of her immortal existence. Her name appears in many stories and she is often regarded as petty and unforgiving, especially in the case of Herakles (Hercules), but in her relationship with Jason she was compassionate and protective.

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Hera and Zeus

Hera’s relationship with her brother/husband, Zeus, is very complicated and filled with tender love and bitter rivalry. She and Zeus are the parents of Ares (god of War), Hebe (goddess of Youth) and Eileithyia (goddess of Childbirth). Zeus was not a faithful husband but, in most cases, he did not try to hide that fact from Hera. When Hera was trying to distract Zeus from the battlefield of Troy, she cloaked herself in irresistible sensuality and tried to seduce Zeus on Mount Ida. Zeus swooned at her beauty and recounted his many affairs and indiscretions as his way of telling her that she was the most beautiful of all his lovers.

For her part, Hera was not always concerned with Zeus’ best interests either. Her vengeful reaction towards Zeus’ son Herakles (Heracles) was nothing less than murderous and hateful. Her relentless punishment of the maiden, Io, was unforgiving and without merit because Io had resisted Zeus and there was no reason for the young girl to suffer such ill treatment. The births of Hephaistos (Hephaestus) and Typhaon were acts of pure spite to punish her wayward husband, Zeus.

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Hera and Herakles

It’s odd that the name Herakles actually means ‘Hera’s Glory’ when in actuality, her treatment of Herakles was the opposite of glorious. In one of his many acts of infidelity, Zeus had relations with a mortal woman named Alkmene (Alcmene). Zeus hoped that their child would be a king and an incomparable leader of men. When Hera learned of the impending birth of Herakles, she began to plot and scheme against the unborn child. She went to Zeus and made him take a solemn oath that the next son born in the bloodline of Perseus would become the king of Argos. Since Hera is often called ‘Hera of Argos,’ Zeus did not perceive the trickery that was hidden beneath her demand for an oath. Zeus agreed because he assumed that the next son born in the bloodline of Perseus would be Herakles. Hera asked her daughter, Eileithyia, to delay the birth of Herakles so that another child in the bloodline of Perseus could be born first and claim the title of king of Argos. Thus Eurystheus was born before Herakles and became Herakles’ earthly master.

Hera was not content to humble Herakles and humiliate Zeus ... she wanted murder. She placed two vile serpents in Herakles’ crib with the intention of killing him before he was able to defend himself. The infant Herakles grabbed a snake in each hand and strangled both of them before they could harm him.

The precise role that Hera played in the domination of Herakles by Eurystheus is not clearly defined but the series of tasks known as The Labors of Herakles were the direct result of Eurystheus being born before Herakles. Eurystheus assigned Herakles twelve impossible Labors that were intended to humiliate Herakles. Hera could not resist the urge to continually complicate the life and Labors of Herakles.

Perhaps the most troubling and destructive thing that Hera did was regarding the murder of Herakles’ children. While Herakles was still a teenager, he settled a dispute for Kreon (Creon), the king of Thebes, and as a reward for his services, Herakles was allowed to marry Megara, the king’s daughter. After he and Megara had produced several children, Hera cast a spell of confusion and madness on Herakles and he proceeded to kill his children. Some accounts say that Herakles also killed Megara but different authors and examples of ancient artwork dispute that accusation.

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Hera, Zeus and Io

Of his many infatuations, Zeus’ desire for the young maiden, Io, is one of the saddest. Zeus came to Io and announced his desire but she rejected his advances. Zeus told Io’s father that if Io did not submit to him, he would punish her entire family. Io’s father feared the retribution of Zeus and forced Io out of his house, thinking that she would submit to Zeus rather than be alone in the wilderness. Io was stronger willed than Zeus or her father imagined ... she refused to surrender to Zeus’ desire and wandered into the wide world without hope or companion. In his rage, Zeus changed Io into a black and white heifer to punish her and also to hide her from Hera. Hera saw through the ruse and sent Argos, the hundred-eyed herdsman, to keep watch on Io. Zeus sent Hermes to kill the ever vigilant Argos so that he might still have an opportunity to seduce the maiden but Hera would not be deterred from her vengeance. She sent a gadfly to torment and constantly prod the poor heifer-maiden so that she could never rest or find comfort. Finally, Io was driven to the ends of the earth and ended up in Egypt, where she was finally returned to her human form.

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Hera and Jason

King Pelias of Iolkos (Iolcos) had robbed the inheritance of Jason and the stage was set for punishment and glory.

As a child, Jason was removed from Iolkos and put in the care of the Centaur, Cheiron (Chiron), for his protection and education. The goddess, Hera, on one of her frequent excursions into the world of mortal humans, disguised herself as an old woman and waited on the banks of the river Anauros for a kind stranger to help her cross the surging waters. Jason, now a young man, assisted Hera across the river and, by this simple demonstration of his chivalrous character, earned the eternal love and protection of the queen of the Immortals.

King Pelias, on the other hand, earned Hera’s wrath by neglecting her at his sacrifices. Hera’s love of Jason and her hatred of Pelias combined to set the stage for the quest for the Golden Fleece, the love affair with Medeia (Medea) and the cruel death of king Pelias.

When Jason came to Iolkos in the bloom of his manhood, Pelias knew that he was doomed unless he could contrive Jason’s death. Pelias had been given an oracle that said that a youth wearing one sandal would come to Iolkos and take his throne. Jason had lost one of his sandals in the river Anauros and had entered Iolkos just as the oracle had predicted. Pelias was foolish, or arrogant, enough to think that he could thwart the will of the Immortals and avoid his prescribed fate by sending Jason on a seemingly hopeless quest. He commanded Jason the retrieve the Golden Fleece from king Aietes (Aeetes) in the far-off land of Kolchis (Colchis). Pelias knew that king Aietes would not surrender the Golden Fleece willingly and that, if he was lucky enough to survive the dangerous sea voyage to Kolchis, Jason would probably be killed by king Aietes.

Jason and most of the Argonauts survived the arduous voyage to Kolchis but Hera was not content to allow things to proceed without her intervention. She went to Aphrodite and asked the goddess of Love to persuade Eros to wound king Aietes’ daughter, Medeia, with one of his golden arrows of love. When the love-smitten Medeia saw Jason, she could not resist the feelings of unconditional love that overwhelmed her. She defied her father and used her skills as a sorceress to help Jason steal the Golden Fleece and flee Kolchis.

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Hera and Hephaistos

Hephaistos is the lame son of Hera. In The Iliad (book 1, line 590), Hephaistos reveals how he became lame: at the climax of an domestic dispute, Hephaistos stood with his mother in defiance of Zeus. The Olympian Zeus, in his rage, caught Hephaistos by the foot and hurled him from the magic threshold of Mount Olympos (Olympus) to the earth far below. Three days later Hephaistos landed on the island of Lemnos, broken and nearly lifeless. The Nereid, Thetis, and Eurynome, mother of the Graces, found the shattered god and nursed him back to health. They were responsible for saving his life and he never forgot their kindness. Hera was violently shamed at the sight of her lame son and would have done him further harm had not Thetis and Eurynome hidden him. He worked secretly with the two goddesses for nine years in a cave perfecting his craft before emerging to claim his rightful place among the Olympians.

Hera tells a different story of how Hephaistos was ejected from Mount Olympos ... in the Homeric Hymn to Apollon (lines 311+), she says that she, not Zeus, cast Hephaistos from Mount Olympos into the sea. Hera also curses Thetis for caring for Hephaistos and says that surely there must have been other services that Thetis could have performed for the Immortals without encouraging her lame son.

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Hera and Hypnos

In the tenth year of the Trojan War, Hera tried to defy Zeus and influence the fighting between the Trojans and Achaeans (Achaians). She was clearly on the side of the Achaeans and wanted to help them when the Trojans seemed to be gaining the upper hand in the fighting. Zeus forbade the Immortals from entering the battle and retired to Mount Ida to watch the carnage. Hera devised a plan to distract Zeus and allow her brother Poseidon to openly fight on the side of the Achaeans. First, Hera went to Aphrodite and asked the goddess for a special charm that would make Zeus receptive to love. In the past, Hera had mocked Aphrodite and even called her a dog-fly because she took the side of the Trojans but now she was polite and respectful to the goddess of Love. Aphrodite agreed to help and gave Hera a love charm that could be hidden under her clothing. Next, Hera flew to the island of Lemnos to enlist the help of Hypnos (god of Sleep). She persuaded Hypnos to cast a spell on Zeus so that his attention would be averted from Troy. Hypnos was understandably hesitant because he had defied Zeus on a previous occasion and barely escaped a harsh punishment but Hera offered him one of the Graces, Pasithea, as a wife if he would assist her. Hypnos reluctantly agreed but made Hera swear an oath on the river Styx that she would keep her promise.

Hera went to Zeus on Mount Ida and told him that she was on her way to the depths of the sea to visit the wife of Okeanos (Ocean), Tethys. Zeus was effected by the love charm that Hera had concealed in her clothing and asked her to stay with him so that they could renew their love. Hera’s plan was working perfectly. When Zeus was dulled in the afterglow of love, Hypnos wove his spell and Zeus drifted off to sleep. Hypnos then took the form of a bird and, following Hera’s instructions, swooped down to the battlefield to tell Poseidon that he could enter the fray without Zeus knowing. When Zeus awoke, he realized that he had been tricked and threatened Hera with violence but her feigned pleas of innocence calmed his anger. He dismissed Hera and told her to return to Mount Olympos and send Iris and Apollon to him. Hera returned to Mount Olympos so visibly shaken that the other Olympians could tell that she had narrowly escaped the wrath of Zeus.

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Hera and the Trojan War

The causes of the Trojan War are many, intertwined links that seem to defy logic and reason but Hera’s manipulative hand was ever present. She was bound and determined to see the walls of Troy topple and she would stop at nothing to achieve that goal.

Of course, the most ready explanation for the Trojan War was the abduction of Helen by the Trojan prince, Paris (Alexandros). The infatuation that Aphrodite placed on Helen for Alexandros was a reward for him because of his selection of her as the most beautiful of all the goddesses. At the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, the goddess Eris (Discord) threw down a golden apple with the inscription “For the most beautiful one.” Aphrodite, Athene and Hera all assumed that the golden apple was intended for them and a conflict soon arose. This was clearly the intention of Eris ... she was at the wedding to cause discord and strife. Zeus commanded Hermes to escort Hera, Athene and Aphrodite to Mount Ida and allow Paris to be the judge as to which goddess was the most beautiful ... this dilemma has come to be known as The Judgment of Paris. Being secretly promised the beautiful Helen as a wife, Paris chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess and thus earned her affection and likewise the wrath of Athene and Hera. (Kypria, fragment 1)

During the Trojan War, Hera was clearly on the side of the Greeks:

1) Hera tried to protect Achilles even though she distrusted Achilles’ mother, Thetis. When the river Xanthos (Xanthus) and Hephaistos where about to attack Achilles, Hera intervened and saved Achilles. When Achilles was at the peak of his murderous frenzy, Hera cast a mist about the Trojans so that they could not escape his sword and spear.
2) Hera sent the Oneiroi (Dreams) to Agamemnon to encourage him to press the fight against the Trojans and when he donned his armor for battle she and Athene caused thunder to resound in the heavens to show their approval.
3) Hera sent Athene against Ares on the battlefield and he was severely wounded. When Ares complained to Zeus of his injuries, Zeus said that he should just accept his wounds because his mother, Hera, was unstoppable in her anger towards the Trojans.
4) When the Trojans were gaining the upper hand in the battle, Mount Olympos shook with Hera’s anger. She secretly encouraged Athene and Poseidon to defy Zeus and assist the Greeks. Hera even drove Helios (the Sun) into the depths of Okeanos (Ocean) to shorten the day and avert a victory by the Trojans.

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Hera, Mother of Typhaon

After Hera had given birth to the lame Hephaistos without Zeus, she was distressed and angry that Zeus had given birth to Athene without her.

When Zeus’ affair with Maia resulted in her pregnancy, Zeus became concerned that Maia’s child would be too powerful and threaten his authority. He swallowed Maia and she was never seen again. However, in the infinite confines of Zeus, the goddess Athene was born. Maia attired Athene in armor and she burst from Zeus’ head dressed for battle.

When Hera saw the magnificent and perfect Athene, she thought of her crippled son, Hephaistos, and began to plot her revenge. She withdrew from Zeus and refused to associate with him. After ten months, she gave birth to Typhaon. Her new son was violent and lawless. He had the body of a serpent and became a cruel plague to the people of the earth. Hera then gave her horrible son a wife ... the grisly Echidna. Typhaon joined in love with the nymph-serpent, Echidna and fathered the two-headed dog, Orthos, the hound of Hades, Kerberos (Cerberus) and the Hydra. (Theogony, lines 306+) (Hymn to Apollon, lines 350+)

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Hera and the Birth of Apollon

When Leto, another of Zeus’ lovers, was about to give birth to Apollon, she was attended by many of the goddesses but the goddess of Childbirth, Eileithyia (Eilithyia), was deliberately distracted by Hera so that she could not know of Leto’s needs. Leto was in labor for nine days and nights before the goddesses in attendance sent Iris to Mount Olympos to fetch Eileithyia. Iris drew Eileithyia aside so that Hera would not interfere and told her Leto’s plight. Eileithyia immediately went to Leto ... Apollon was born without further delay. Hera did not prevent the birth of Apollon but she managed to make Leto suffer needlessly as punishment for her role in Zeus’ infidelity. (Hymn to Apollon, lines 89-114)

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Hera and Ixion

Zeus’ love for Hera had many interesting and tragic consequences. The king of Thessaly, Ixion, was a selfish man who offended Zeus by cheating the father of his bride of his dowry and then killing the man. Zeus forgave Ixion but the egotistical king would not cease his offensive behavior ... he tried to seduce Hera. Zeus created a woman from a cloud in the likeness of Hera and sent her to Ixion. Her name was Nephele. When Ixion died, Zeus condemned him to spend eternity in the Underworld revolving on a wheel.

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Hera is often confused with the Roman goddess, Iuno (Juno).

Hera in The Iliad

(listed by book and line)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Wyatt translations of The Iliad. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use. Lattimore (ISBN 0226469409); A.T. Murray/William F. Wyatt Vol. I & II (ISBN 0674995791 and 0674995805); Robert Fitzgerald (ISBN 0374529051); Robert Fagles (ISBN 0140275363)

01.055 - Hera inspired 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 Achilles before he provokes Agamemnon
01.208 - Athene (Athena) speaks to Achilles and tells him that Hera has sent her to keep him from doing violence to Agamemnon
01.400 - 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, 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 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 - 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 Hector will kill more Argives
08.484 - Hera silently accepts Zeus’ decision to give Hector glory at the expense of the Argives
09.254 - Before 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 Achilles if he successfully invades the camp of the Danaans; 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 - Hector calls to the Trojans and says that he is driven on by the greatest of all gods, the lord of Hera
13.826 - Hector taunts Aias saying that if he had been a son of Zeus and Hera and honored like Apollon and Athene (Athena) all the Achaeans (Achaians) 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 Achaeans (Achaians) but was worried that Zeus might interfere
14.157 - As Poseidon fought on the side of the Achaeans (Achaians), 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 - 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 - 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 Achilles about the death of Patroklos (Patroclus)
18.184 - Iris tells 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 Achaeans (Achaians) 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 Achilles
20.033 - Hephaistos (Hephaestus), Hera, Athene (Athena), Poseidon and Hermes descend Mount Olympos (Olympus) to join the Achaeans (Achaians) 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 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 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 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 Achilles continues to abuse the dead body of Hector, Hera, Poseidon and Athene (Athena) have no pity for the fallen Trojan
24.055 - Hera answers the protests of Apollon about the way Achilles is dishonoring the dead body of Hector
24.065 - Zeus explains to Hera that 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)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Dimock translations of The Odyssey. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use. Richmond Lattimore (ISBN 0060931957); A.T. Murray/George E. Dimock Vol. I & II (ISBN 0674995619 and 0674995627); Robert Fitzgerald (ISBN 0374525749); Robert Fagles (ISBN 0140268863)

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 Jason had been saved because of Hera’s love for him
15.111 - Menelaos (Menelaus) tells Telemachos (Telemachus) that he hopes Zeus, husband of Hera, will grant him a safe homecoming
15.180 - Telemachos (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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Other Text References

Theogony

line 314 - Hera nourished the Hydra of Lerna because of her anger towards Herakles
line 454 - Hera was one of the daughters of Rheia and Kronos
line 921 - Hera became the wife of Zeus and bore Hebe, Ares and Eileithyia
line 951 - Herakles made Hebe, the daughter of Hera and Zeus, his wife

Catalogues of Women and Eoiae

fragment 57 - The goddess Thetis avoided wedlock with Zeus to please Hera

The Great Eoiae

fragment 11 - Endymion fell in love with Hera when Zeus transported him into heaven

The Melampodia

fragment 3 - Zeus and Hera chose Teiresias to decide whether men or women derived the most pleasure from love

Aegimius

fragment 3 - Io was a priestess of Hera when Zeus became attracted to her
fragment 5 - Hera set Argos to watch over Io because he never slept

Hymn to Dionysos

line 7 - The birth of Dionysos, a son of Zeus and Semele, was unknown to Hera

Hymn to Delian Apollon

line 95 - Hera did not attend the birth of Apollon on the island of Delos
line 99 - Hera prevented Eileithyia from delivering Apollon for nine days
line 105 - Hera did not know that the goddess Iris secretly asked Eileithyia to come to Leto and deliver Apollon

Hymn to Hermes

line 8 - Hera slept while Zeus secretly made love to Maia

Hymn to Aphrodite

line 40 - Zeus mated with mortal women without Hera’s knowledge

The Kypria

fragment 1 - At the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, Eris caused a dispute between Hera, Athene and Aphrodite
fragment 1 - Hera causes a storm to send Alexandros to the city of Sidon
fragment 4 - The goddess Thetis avoided wedlock with Zeus to please Hera

The Taking of Oichalia

fragment 4 - Before she fled Corinth, Medeia left her sons at the altar of Hera

Battle of Frogs and Mice

line 277 - Hera told Zeus that neither she nor Athene nor Ares can save the frogs from utter destruction

Histories

book 1.31 - Kleobis and Biton were praised by Solon because they harnessed themselves to an oxcart to carry their mother to the festival of Hera
book 1.70 - A bronze mixing bowl which was intended as a gift for King Kroesus was captured and dedicated at the Temple of Hera on the island of Samos
book 2.178 - The Samians built a sanctuary to Hera in Egypt
book 2.182 - King Amasis of Egypt sent two wooden statues of himself to Samos as a dedication to Hera
book 3.123 - A man named Maendrius dedicated some of the plunder from Polykrates’ palace to the Heraeum on the island of Samos
book 4.88 - Mandrokles, the man who built the boat-bridge over the Bosporus for King Darius, dedicated a depiction of Darius and the boat-bridge at the Temple of Hera
book 4.152 - The Theraeans took ten percent of their profits and had a magnificent mixing-bowl made so they could dedicate it at the Temple of Hera on the island of Samos
book 5.92 - In fear of the Oracle of the Dead, King Periander of Corinth ordered the women of Corinth to make dedications at the Temple of Hera
book 6.81 - Kleomenes was forbidden to make sacrifice at the Shrine of Hera because he was not from Argos
book 9.52 - A contingent of the Greek army camped near the Temple of Hera at Plataea
book 9.61 - The Spartans refused to withdraw to the Temple of Hera at Plataea because they were honor bound to never retreat
book 9.69 - The contingent of Greek soldiers at the Temple of Hera at Plataea took the field against the retreating Persians
book 9.96 - The Greeks anchored at the island of Samos near the Temple of Hera at Kalamisa