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Hera

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The ancient Temple of Hera in Agrigento, Italy, showcasing impressive classical architecture.

Hera

Hera was a very important goddess in ancient Greek stories. She was the goddess of marriage, women, and families. Her job was to help keep families together and happy.

Hera was the queen of the gods who lived on Mount Olympus. She was both the sister and wife of Zeus, the leader of the gods. Even though she loved Zeus, sometimes they would have strong feelings between them.

Hera is often shown as a proud woman sitting on a throne. She wore a special crown called a polos or diadem. Her favorite animals were the cow, cuckoo, and peacock. In Roman stories, the goddess who is like Hera is called Juno.

Hera was born to two powerful beings named Cronus and Rhea. She had many sisters and brothers, including Hestia, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus.

People loved Hera very much and built many beautiful temples for her. Some of the most famous temples were in places like Samos, Olympia, and Argos. In these temples, people would honor Hera with special festivals and games.

The Heraea Games were special sports events held just for girls. They were the first official women’s sports competition ever held at the stadium at Olympia. Girls from all over could come and compete in running races.

Hera had many beautiful sculptures made in her honor. Some famous ones are called the Barberini Hera, Hera Borghese, and Hera Farnese. These statues show how much people admired Hera and her role as the goddess of marriage and family.

Images

A view of the Parthenon from the west, an ancient Greek temple on the Athenian Acropolis.
A section of an ancient Greek frieze showing Iris, Hera, and Zeus from the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum.
A classical artwork showing the mythological scene of Zeus and Hera's wedding, created in ancient Pompeii.
Ancient sculpture head of Hera, the Greek goddess, made from marble.
A classic 1790s painting showing the mythological scene of Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida, created by artist James Barry.
An artist's reconstruction of the ancient temple complex at Heraion of Samos.
Architectural plan of Temple E in Selinunte, an ancient Greek temple.
Architectural plan of Temple D (Temple of Hera) in Agrigento, showing its layout and structure.
Ancient Greek artwork depicting the goddess Hera from a 470 BC kylix, showcasing classical art and mythology.
Ancient statue of Hera from the Gymnasium of Salamis, displayed in the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.
Ancient Greek art showing Zeus and Hera on their throne with Iris serving them, from a 500 BC pottery piece.
An ancient Greek temple called the Temple of Hera in Paestum.

Related articles

Goddess
Mount Olympus
Zeus
Cuckoo
Juno (mythology)
Cronus

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Hera, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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