How Zeus Tricked Hera into Marriage

Zeus and Hera’s marriage? It’s definitely not your typical love story. To start with, they are both children of the legendary Titans Cronos and Rhea, which makes them siblings. What a way to begin! Think drama, trickery, jealousy, and vengeance. In this article, we will explore Zeus and Hera’s relationship and the story of their marriage.

The Courtship of Hera

Long before she became queen of the gods, Hera was known for her beauty and grace, attracting the attention of many suitors.

When Zeus saw Hera for the first time, he fell in love with her immediately. On many occasions, he tried to court her. He tried to court her on many occasions, using various disguises and gifts to win her favor. But Hera was not easy to charm. She remained cautious, wary of Zeus’s notorious reputation for seducing other goddesses and mortals alike.

After many unsuccessful attempts, Zeus decided to resort to trickery…

Knowing about Hera Hera’s love and empathy for animals to his own advantage. He triggered a terrible storm and turn himself into a Cuckoo bird. When Hera found the poor creature shivering in the storm, she took pity on it and warmed it by placing it on her breast. In that instant, Zeus resumed his true form and, with a mixture of charm and sincerity, asked for her hand in marriage. Hera accepted.

In a dramatic and contemporary version, Zeus would have raped her. Covered with shame, Hera would have decided to marry him.

The Wedding of Zeus and Hera

The marriage of Zeus and Hera was the first Olympian wedding, celebrated with great fanfare in the garden of the Hesperides. All the gods were invited to attend, and the area was renowned as one of the most beautiful places on earth.

During the celebration, Gaia, the Earth goddess and grandmother of the bride, gifted Hera an enchanted tree that would bear exquisite golden apples. This beauty would later set the stage for the infamous Apple of Discord, which ignited the events leading to the Trojan War.”

The union of Zeus and Hera lasted over 300 years, during which they had four children:

• Ares, the god of war
• Hebe, the goddess of youth
• Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth
• Hephaestus, the god of fire – in some sources, he was said to have been created by Hera alone

But those are just the children of Zeus and Hera. Zeus was also famous for his infidelity. He fathered heroes like Hercules, Perseus, Minos, Sarpedon, and the twins Castor and Polydeuces, as well as gods like Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Hermes, Dionysus, and the Muses, all with women and goddesses other than Hera.

Zeus and Hera’s relationship

Despite their marriage, Zeus and Hera’s relationship was tumultuous. Between love and conflict, they often fought, especially because Zeus had many affairs, which made Hera very jealous. Although she felt powerless to punish him—since he was so powerful—she took out her frustration on his lovers instead.

For instance, she relentlessly pursued Io, transforming her into a cow to keep her away from Zeus. She also tricked Semele, the mother of Dionysus, into seeing Zeus’s true form, leading to her death. Additionally, Hera spent much of her life hunting down Hercules, a quest that resulted in the famous Twelve Labors, a series of seemingly impossible tasks.

Zeus understood that his many affairs were not virtuous. By letting Hera act on her influences and seek vengeance, he aimed to maintain a balance of power, reflecting their status as equals in their relationship.

So you might wonder does Zeus actually loves Hera?

In many stories, Zeus’s love for Hera appears genuine. He shows affection and values their marriage, yet his numerous affairs contradict that love. Hera, as the goddess of marriage and family, had reasons to remain loyal to him.

From a modern viewpoint, it may seem that Zeus didn’t love Hera as he should have. However, in ancient times, they were revered as a perfect couple. People wouldn’t have worshipped them as gods of marriage if they didn’t believe in their love. Despite the conflicts in their stories, the cultural and historical context suggests a genuine bond between them.

What are your thoughts on the relationship between Zeus and Hera?