Hera
Hera, the queen of Olympus, is a figure as iconic as they come in Greek mythology. She’s the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth—a fiercely protective spirit who expects loyalty and honor, especially from her husband, Zeus. Hera’s story is one of resilience, strength, and yes, an enduring frustration with the king of the gods. Her Roman counterpart, Juno, takes a similarly regal stance but with a few unique Roman twists, making the pair true powerhouses of feminine divinity.
Hera’s lineage alone commands respect—she’s the daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea and the sister-wife of Zeus (I know, major ick but that’s just how ancient mythology works sometimes). And as I’m sure most of you already know, Zeus was a philanderer, which was quite a contrast to Hera’s qualities of loyalty and marital fidelity. Known for his wandering eye, Zeus tested Hera’s patience endlessly, forcing her into the unenviable role of loyal wife defending her position. And defend she did! When Zeus’s infidelities resulted in illegitimate children (like Heracles) and a host of scandalous dalliances (Leto, Alcmene, and more), Hera didn’t just sit back and fume—she took action. Though this sometimes cast her as a vengeful figure, her fierce reactions reveal a woman unwilling to be disrespected or sidelined in her own marriage.
One of Hera’s best-known stories is the tale of the Judgment of Paris—a scene right out of ancient mythological reality TV. When a golden apple inscribed “For the Fairest” led to a beauty contest among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, the three turned to a mortal, Paris, to be their judge. Hera, ever the queen, promised Paris power and dominion if he chose her. Athena offered wisdom, while Aphrodite promised the love of Helen of Sparta, the world’s most beautiful woman. Paris, of course, couldn’t resist Aphrodite’s offer, a choice that sparked the Trojan War. Hera’s role here? Another example of her competitive spirit and her unwillingness to be outshone.
Despite her husband’s antics and her fierce temper, Hera was revered in Greek society as the divine protector of marriage and women’s lives. Celebrated through the Heraia, one of Greece’s oldest women’s festivals, young women gathered at Olympia to honor her with races that symbolized resilience and strength. Hera’s symbols—the peacock, the cow, and the pomegranate—reflect her layered nature. The peacock, adorned with Argus’s many eyes, symbolizes her vigilance over sacred bonds, while the cow represents fertility and nurturing, underscoring her role as a motherly figure. The pomegranate, with its hidden seeds, symbolizes life, rebirth, and the mysteries of womanhood, emphasizing her connection to the cycles of life. Through these symbols, Hera’s presence reinforced marriage as a sacred institution and reminded the Greeks of her enduring strength, protective nature, and the dignity of womanhood she championed.
Hera’s Roman counterpart, Juno, has a slightly different vibe. Like Hera, Juno is all about marriage, family, and women’s lives, but in Rome, her influence extended even further. Juno was no mere household goddess; she was a force in the civic and political realms too. As part of the Capitoline Triad, Juno shared a temple with Jupiter (the Roman Zeus) and Minerva. She was more than just the goddess of marriage—she was the guardian of the Roman state, watching over the fortunes of Rome itself. Juno was celebrated as Juno Moneta, the goddess of finance and advisor to the people (in fact, our word “money” comes from her title), and as Juno Sospita, a warrior goddess who protected soldiers. She wasn’t just keeping watch over family life; she was keeping the whole Roman state in line. Her loyalty to Rome made her one of the most respected and multi-faceted figures in Roman mythology.
In Rome, Juno’s major festival was the Matronalia, held every March. This celebration was all about honoring marriage and family, with husbands giving gifts to their wives and women offering flowers to Juno. Like Hera, Juno’s symbol was the peacock, a regal, proud bird that perfectly matched her lofty status. And Juno had her moments of high drama too. In Virgil’s Aeneid, she is an outright antagonist, fuming at the prophecy that a descendant of the Trojan Aeneas will one day destroy her favorite city, Carthage. Determined to stop Aeneas, Juno throws every possible obstacle in his path, from fierce storms to tempting distractions. Her resolve and intensity in protecting what she loves show just how far she’ll go for loyalty—though sometimes, this makes her as much a force to reckon with as any hero in myth.
Hera and Juno stand as queens who embody the full spectrum of womanhood, from the nurturing protector to the fiercely proud matriarch. They are goddesses of family and marriage who remind us that love and loyalty aren’t simple, easy roles—they demand strength and resilience. Though Hera’s story often paints her in the shadow of Zeus’s misdeeds, her reactions reveal a proud, powerful figure who demands respect for herself and the institution of marriage. Likewise, Juno’s involvement in state and family life alike shows that her protection extends beyond her own family to the whole Roman people.
These goddesses challenge us to think about the complexity of loyalty, the strength of commitment, and the dignity that comes from honoring our values. Hera and Juno weren’t just divine wives—they were queens, guardians, and symbols of power and pride. And for anyone seeking strength and courage in the face of challenge, they remind us to stand tall, defend what matters, and demand respect—whether or not anyone else is willing to give it.