In Greek mythology, Rhea was the mother of the Olympian gods Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, and Hestia.
Rhea was a Titan daughter of Gaia, the Earth, and Uranus, the sky. She married her brother Cronus, and together they became parents of the six principal children later associated with the Olympian generation. Cronus feared a prophecy that one of his children would overthrow him, so he swallowed each child at birth.
When Zeus was born, Rhea concealed him in Crete and gave Cronus a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes instead. After Zeus grew up, he forced Cronus to disgorge the other children. Their release began the conflict between the younger gods and the Titans.
Rhea is often confused with Gaia because both are ancient mother figures. Gaia is the primordial Earth and Rhea’s mother; Rhea is the Titan mother of the generation that included Zeus. Her Roman counterpart was commonly identified as Ops.