In Greek mythology, Hera was the wife of Zeus and queen of the gods.
Hera was an Olympian goddess associated with marriage, women, childbirth, and royal authority. She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea and, like Zeus’s other siblings, was swallowed by Cronus before being freed. Myths portray her marriage to Zeus as central to her position among the gods.
Hera’s stories frequently involve Zeus’s affairs and the punishments she directed toward his lovers or their children. These myths reflect the ancient Greek interest in divine family conflict, but they also show Hera as an independent deity with her own worship and major sanctuaries.
Her most important cult center was the Heraion at Argos, and another famous sanctuary stood near Olympia. Hera’s Roman equivalent was Juno. The peacock became especially associated with her in later artistic tradition, while the cow was also a traditional sacred animal.