According to Greek mythology, Hebe is the goddess of youth. Her name, Hebe is the Roman equivalent to Juventas. Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was known as the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. She served them nectar and ambrosia. She was later married to Heracles, which was Hercules, in Roman. Before their marriage, Heracules became a god. Hebe’s successor was Ganymede, the young Trojan prince. Hebe also had another title, known as Ganymeda. She drew baths for her brother, Ares, and also helped Hera into her chariot when needed.
Hebe and Heracles had two children. Their names were Alexiares and Anicetus. Hebe was called Juventas by the Romans. She was portrayed as a young woman, who wore a sleeveless dress. On some vases she is shown as a cup bearer of the gods, and other times as a bride of Heracles. There was a famous statue of Hebe, which was made of ivory and gold, and it is now lost. The statue was made by Naucydes, the brother of Polycletus, in the fifth century BC. This statue has been shown on coins from Argos more recently. Hebe had the power to make a person young again. She was worshiped in
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greek clothing in Athens where she had an altar in the Cynossarges, near the one of Heracles. She was also worshiped in a grove in Sicyon and Philus, under the name of the Ganymedes. She was worshiped in Rome as Juventas. She had a chapel on the capitol which existed before the temple of Jupiter was built. There was also another temple of hers in the Circus Maximus. Hebe, as well as Terminus, opposed the consecration of the temple of Jupiter.
Hebe was considered to be the most beautiful goddess of them all. Hebe also had a sister named Eileithyia. When Hera was celebrating Hebe’s seventh day after her birth, the gods quarreled over who would give the child the best gift. Tritonis brought many toys. Hebe and Eileithyia were handmaidens for their mother Hera. When Hera went about to harness the gold bridled horses, Hebe set about the chariot with speed and fastened the harness and the yolks. Hera then led the horses.
Hebe was also sometimes called Ganymeda. After the death of Heracles, who was a former charioteer, the family dwells with the Olympians. Hebe was also the patron goddess to the young bride and an attendant to goddess Aphrodite. Sometimes Hebe is represented with wings like the goddesses Iris and Nike. Hebe’s male counterpart was Ganymedes, and her opposite number was Geras (which means old age). Hebe may have been equated with Selene’s daughter, Pandeia.