Hebe, Cupbearer of the Gods
In early
myths Hebe is called the Goddess of Eternal Youth. Some myths
show her to be the daughter of Hera and Zeus, although it is more
likely that Hera conceived her after eating lettuces, since most
of the myths surrounding Ares say that he is Zeus and Hera's only
child. She is the sister of Ares, Arge, Eleithyia, Eris and
Hephaestus.
Hebe is shown as fair and youthful in art. She served as the cupbearer to the Gods until she fell drunkenly before Zeus while serving him nectar. Although another myth says that she exposed herself at a festival. In both myths Hebe is replaced by Ganymede. After her displacement she continues to prepare her mother's chariot and harness her peacocks.
When Heracles was raised to the rank of God he married Hebe and together they had Alexaires and Anticetus. As a favor to Heracles, Hebe restored his nephew Iolous to youth so he could care for Heracles' children.
Image above based on a sculpture by Antonio Canova, courtesy of The Bettmann Archive, New York.
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