| Hera was a Greek deity of a different sort, one | | | | The tale of Hera goes further back than even the |
| that displayed the tendency of the ancient | | | | stories of Zeus; as she was said to be his older |
| Greeks to have a religious figure for everything | | | | sister. Her name is not traceable to any Greek |
| they deemed significant. | | | | roots, rather, it is hypothesized that her presence |
| Hera - Greek Deity | | | | in the area dates back to unidentified pre-Greek |
| While many of the most important deities | | | | people, collectively called the Pelasgians. While |
| throughout history have been male, a select few | | | | some writers, such as Homer, spoke of Hera's |
| females have risen to the highest levels of religion. | | | | power as being drawn from her marriage to the |
| In ancient Egypt, Isis and Set were worshiped by | | | | "king of gods", others were even less kind to her. |
| many followers, and seen as being even more | | | | Later myths about Hera seem to mostly focus |
| integral to their lives than certain male figures. | | | | on her anger at Zeus's many consorts, and the |
| This was also true in ancient Greece. Some of the | | | | ways she plotted revenge against these women. |
| most important deities in this pantheon were | | | | Hera is also associated with cattle. Masks created |
| goddesses, and Hera, wife of Zeus, was one of | | | | from bull skulls that were worn during ceremonies |
| them. | | | | to celebrate Hera have been found. Later Greeks |
| Hera was both the older sister and wife of the | | | | rejected the association, however, preferring to |
| most important deity in Greek times, Zeus. She | | | | not think of her as a cow-faced creature, and |
| was often pictured as being wise and solemn with | | | | instead, chose to speak of her as "cow-eyed". |
| a large crown known as polos. In some cases, | | | | Hera's powers were mostly concentrated on |
| Hera was also seen holding a pomegranate, used | | | | punishing others that angered her, and she was |
| as a symbol of blood - representing both fertility | | | | not noted for being particularly benevolent. She |
| and death. Her cult cities - the places she was | | | | tried killing (and succeeded) many of her husband's |
| most often worshiped in - were Argos and | | | | offspring by other consorts. Not a traditional |
| Mycenae. Hera's Roman counterpart was known | | | | Green Mother figure, Hera was described as |
| as Juno. | | | | spiteful and jealous. |