 | |
|---|---|
| Title | |
| Cupbearer of the Gods | |
| Goddess of Youth | |
| Goddess of Rejuvination | |
| Vital Statistics | |
| Gender | Female |
| Family |
|
| Status | Immortal |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blond |
| Height | Any height |
| Other | |
| Affiliation | |
| Weapons |
Unknown |
| Species | Goddess |
| Home | |
| Greek/Roman form | Juventas (Roman) |
| Appearances |
None |
| Actor | None |
| Quests |
None |
Hebe (Ἥβη in Ancient Greek) is the Greek goddess of youth. She was also the former cupbearer of the gods. She is also the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Her Roman counterpart is Juventas.
History[]
Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera and became former cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, serving their nectar and ambrosia, until she was married to her half brother Hercules; her successor was the young Trojan prince Ganymede. Another title of hers, for this reason, is Ganymeda. She also drew baths for Ares and helped Hera enter her chariot.
In Euripides' play Heracleidae, Hebe granted Iolaus' wish to become young again in order to fight Eurystheus. Hebe had two children with Hercules: Alexiares and Anicetus. In her Roman form, Juventas, she received a coin offering from boys when they donned the adult men's toga for the first time. The name Hebe comes from Greek word meaning "youth" or "prime of life". Juventas likewise means "youth", as can be seen in such derivatives as juvenile. In art, Hebe is usually depicted wearing a sleeveless dress. Hebe was also worshipped as a goddess of pardons or forgiveness; freed prisoners would hang their chains in the sacred grove of her sanctuary at Phlius.
Appearance[]
Juventas[]
- Main Article: Juventas
Juventas is Hebe's Roman Counterpart. As Juventas, she becomes more disciplined, militaristic and warlike. She might have children or/and descendants in Camp Jupiter near San Francisco. While for the Greeks, Hebe was not only the goddess of Youth, but also the Patron of Brides, but the Romans credited Juventas only for being the Goddess of Youth.
As goddess of eternal youth, she greets the hypothesized heroes on their entrance into Olympus, presenting to them the cup of Nectar which immediately restores them to the first bloom of youthfulness and beauty, and endows them with immortality as the reward of victorious combats. And since we know that "growing old in Heaven is to grow young," (H. H. 414), we find that Juventas constantly waits upon all the gods at their Olympian banquets, pouring out for them that same elixir of eternal life, from which each day they quaff unending and ever-renewing youth.
By artists, Juventas is represented as a charming young girl, her light garments adorned with roses, and on her head a wreath of flowers. In one hand she carries the amphora of nectar, and with the other she presents the cup of eternal youthfulness. Like Ganymede, she is often seen playing with the royal eagle of her father.
Personality[]
Hebe is a very generous and kind goddess, having granted Iolaus (her husband's friend and nephew) renewed youth so that he could fight Eurystheus.
Abilities[]
The standard powers of a goddess