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The gods all sat assembled in the golden courtyard,
with Zeus there, too. Queen Hebe went among them,
pouring nectar. They toasted each other in golden cups,
as they looked out on Troy. Homer Iliad Book 4

Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, Hêbê (Ήβη / Ἥβη) was the goddess of youth (Roman equivalent: Juventas). She was the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She was the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, serving their nectar and ambrosia, until she was married to Heracles. Her successor is the young Trojan prince Ganymede. She also drew baths for Ares and helped Hera enter her chariot.

Greek Mythology

After his death, Heracles with Athena and Hebe on the Olymp, Etruscan mirror

Greek Mythology

Marriage of Hebe and Heracles

Zeus with Hera and Hebe

In art, she was usually depicted wearing a sleeveless dress.

Pausanias

By the side of Hera stands what is said to be an image of Hebe fashioned by Naucydes; it, too, is of ivory and gold. By its side is an old image of Hera on a pillar. The oldest image is made of wild-pear wood, and was dedicated in Tiryns by Peirasus, son of Argus, and when the Argives destroyed Tiryns they carried it away to the Heraeum. I myself saw it, a small, seated image.

Of the votive offerings the following are noteworthy. There is an altar upon which is wrought in relief the fabled marriage of Hebe and Heracles. This is of silver, but the peacock dedicated by the Emperor Hadrian is of gold and gleaming stones. He dedicated it because they hold the bird to be sacred to Hera.

Apollodorus, Library and Epitome 2.7.7

While the pyre was burning, it is said that a cloud passed under Hercules and with a peal of thunder wafted him up to heaven. Thereafter he obtained immortality, and being reconciled to Hera he married her daughter Hebe, by whom he had sons, Alexiares and Anicetus.

Greek Mythology