Greek Goddess HebeThe Greek Goddess Hebe was the goddess of youth. She was the daughter of Zeus and Hera, which means she was the sister of Ares and Eileithyia. (That's what the sources say: but, if she was Hera's daughter, then she was Hephaistos' sister too).She was the cup-bearer of the gods; her job was to pour the divine nectar and ambrosia at the gods' banquets (ambrosia was the magical drink that gave gods eternal youth). Later, she was replaced by Ganymede (some father, Zeus: he would fire his own daughter in order to give the job to his lover). She would also prepare Hera's chariot. When her brother Ares came back from war, she would prepare his bath. When the gods had a feast, she would sing and dance, together with the Muses and the Graces. When Hercules died, his father, Zeus, took him to the Olympus and transformed him into a god. Hera finally made peace with the hero and, after his apotheosis, gave him her daughter, goddess Hebe, as a wife. As a result of this marriage, Hercules was restored to eternal youth. Hebe, the goddess of youth, was also a goddess of forgiveness. The slaves who were freed would hang their chains on her statue. This one is a famous Greek Hebe statue, by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. 
Hebe Canova, Antonio Buy this Giclee Print at AllPosters.com And a classical statue: 
Demeter, Persephone, and Hebe - East Ped, Parthenon Unknown Buy this Giclee Print at AllPosters.com |