Gods & Goddess Wiki
Gods & Goddess Wiki
Hebe
Hebe
Biographical Information
Deity of:
  • Cupbearer to the gods
  • Goddess of eternal youth
Abode:
  • Mount Olympus
Relationships
Children:
  • Alexiares and Anicetus
Parents:
Siblings:
Roman equivalent:
  • Juventas
Relevant Pages
GALLERY


In Greek mythology, Hēbē (Greek: Ἥβη) is the goddess of youth  (Roman equivalent: Juventas). (Note: she is the goddess of young people, not a goddess who can grant youth or delay aging to older people.) She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, serving their nectar and ambrosia, until she was married to Heracles (Roman equivalent: Hercules); her successor was Zeus's lover 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 Heracles: Alexiares and Anicetus. 
  • 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.