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Explore mythology and art with information about the classic stories of heroes and gods...from the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, to the legends of the Celts. Mythography presents resources and reference materials about mythology - including recommended books, and lexicons that explain Greek, Roman, and Celtic terms.

Gardner's Art Through the Ages

This book is the classic reference for the study of art. It features a history of artists and their works, as well as lucid and engaging descriptions of the styles and periods of art history. Highly recommended for both students and scholars.

Aphrodite in Art
Aphrodite in Myth
Art Themes

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Hebe at a Glance

name | Hebe (’Hbh)

role | goddess who was a cup-bearer for the Olympians

Hebe in Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, the youthful goddess Hebe is the cup-bearer for the gods. She is the daughter of two Olympians - Zeus and Hera - and the sister of Ares and Eileithyia. The following scene from Homer's Iliad depicts Hebe performing her duties as divine cup-bearer:

"The gods were seated near to Zeus in council,
upon a golden floor. Graciously Hebe
served them nectar, as with cups of gold
they toasted one another, looking down
toward the stronghold of Ilion."
(Homer, Iliad, Book IV, 1-5)

In addition to her role as cup-bearer, Hebe also played a small but nonetheless significant part in Greek myth as the wife of the hero Herakles. According to the Odyssey of Homer, after his apotheosis Herakles married the beautiful goddess and enjoyed the pleasures of the Olympian immortals:

"Next I saw manifest the power of Herakles -
a phantom, this, for he himself has gone
feasting amid the gods, reclining soft
with Hebe of the ravishing pale ankles,
daughter of Zeus and Hera, shod in gold."
(Homer, Odyssey, Book XI, 603 ff.)

Juventas was the name of Hebe's Roman counterpart in mythology.

Hebe in Art History
Gallery | For pictures and information about Hebe in art, visit the Mythography gallery!

Who's Who in Classical Mythology This book is a great source for information about Greek and Roman mythology! Organized alphabetically, this who's who features information about over 1200 of the most intriguing characters from Classical myth and legend.	Bulfinch's Mythology The stories of Classical myth come to life in Bulfinch's book. This edition also features legends from other cultures.	Mythography Forums Do you have a specific question about Greek, Roman, and Celtic mythology? Then try the Mythography forum!