The myths and legends of Zeus the lover included his seduction of Leda in the form of a swan and Europa in the form of a bull. So Hera did have a lot to put up with! Zeus would appear to mortal women in the guise of various creatures and then seduce them. The names of the lovers of Zeus included Antiope, Callisto, Danae, Europa, Electra, Leda, Leto, Maria, Taygete, Niobe, Io, Semele, Themis, Mnemosyne, Demeter and Alcmene. The liaisons between mortals and Zeus led to the birth of famous demigods and included the hero Perseus and Hercules. Hephaestus then released Hera from the throne after she gave him the goddess Aphrodite as his wife. Dionysus took him back to Mount Olympus on the back of a mule. The god Dionysus visited him, they rank wine and Hephaestus became intoxicated. The other gods begged Hephaestus to return to Mount Olympus to release Hera from the throne, but he repeatedly refused.

Hephaestus took revenge on Hera for rejecting him by making her a beautiful, magical throne but when she sat on it she was unable to rise. So although Hera was closely linked with marriage and family she was not a particularly good mother. When Hera first saw Hephaestus she was so affronted by his ugly appearance that she threw him into the sea from the summit of Mount Olympus, causing him to become lame. Hephaestus, was the only Greek god who was ugly. The Children of Hera and Zeus - Hephaestus

The King and Queen of the gods on Mount Olympus As gods they both had great supernatural powers and abilities and these were used to devastating, and often cruel, degrees during their clashes which featured strongly in the legends and mythology of the Ancient Greeks. As husband and wife Hera and Zeus had many quarrels and disagreements, most of which were due to the infidelities of Zeus and the jealous nature of Hera. Hera was a powerful goddess, the protector of women who presided over marriage and childbirth and frequently punished offending husbands.

Who were Hera and Zeus? Hera and Zeus were the husband and wife deities who ruled as King and Queen on Mount Olympus.

Zeus wife hera