Hera in the Iliad: The Role of the Queen of the Gods in Homer’s Poem
Hera in the Iliad follows all the schemes of the queen of the gods to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Greeks. Some of her attempts were successful while others yielded little or no results.
Eventually, her favored side, the Greeks, wins the war by tricking the Trojans with a gift horse. This article will look at all of Hera’s ploys in bringing the Trojans to defeat at the hands of the Greeks.
Who Was Hera in the Iliad?
Hera in the Iliad was the queen of the gods in Greek mythology who sided with the Greeks to conquer the Trojansd due to grudge against Paris, the Trojan prince, like Hera in the Odyssey. She devised several means including seducing her husband, Zeus, to swing victory for the Greeks.
Why Hera in the Iliad Fought on the Side of the Greeks
Long before the war began, Paris was just a shepherd in the fields when Eris, the deity of discord, threw a golden apple with an inscription “to the fairest one” in the middle of a wedding party. The three goddesses Hera, Aphrodite and Athena each wanted the golden apple but could not determine who the “fairest one” was among them. Therefore, Zeus, the King of the gods invited Paris to choose between the three goddesses.
The goddesses each try to influence the choice of Paris by offering various powers and privileges. Hera promised to give him kingly power and Athena offered the young shepherd military might. However, Aphrodite’s offer of the most beautiful woman in the known world, Helen, was enough to sweep Paris off his feet. Nonetheless, Aphrodite in the Iliad symbolized sexual love and beauty – qualities that attracted Paris.
Thus, Paris voted Aphrodite as the “fairest one” which drew the anger of Hera. Her anger at Paris was extended to the Trojans as well, thus she supported and fought on the side of the Greeks as they invaded Troy to free Helen.
Hera in the Poem
Hera had several poems in the Iliad, and the most popular one was when was very influential and Athena broke the truce.
Hera in the Iliad Influences Athena to Break the Truce
At the start of the Iliad, both sides decided that Menelaus, the husband of Helen, fought with Paris and the winner of the duel would have Helen. However, the outcome of the duel proved inconclusive as Aphrodite whisked Paris away just when Menelaus was about to deal the final blow. Therefore, both cities called a truce with the Trojans willing to give Helen back to her husband Menelaus. However, Hera wanted the Trojans completely destroyed thus she came up with a plan.
Hera influenced the goddess of war who is Athena in the Iliad, to stir up hostilities which she did by causing the Trojan, Pandarus, to shoot an arrow at Menelaus. Menelaus barely escaped Pandarus’s arrow and this reignites the hostilities between the two sides, courtesy of Hera’s plans.
Hera Plans to Harm Ares for Helping the Trojans
Aphrodite, who was on the side of the Trojans, managed to influence Ares, the god of war, to fight for the people of Troy. Ares had initially promised his mother, Hera, to join the Greeks but went back on his word. Ares assisted the Trojans but he was recognized by the Greek warrior, Diomedes, who commanded his troops to retreat slowly. Soon, Hera found out that her son, Ares, had gone back on his promise so she plotted a payback.
The queen of the gods sought permission from Zeus keep Ares away from the battlefield. Hera then convinced Diomedes to hit Ares with his spear. The spear penetrated the god of war who took to his heels and sought refuge at Mount Olympus.
Hera Influences Poseidon in the Iliad to Abandon the Trojans
Poseidon bore a grudge against Laomedon, the father of King Priam, and wanted to help the Greeks but Zeus forbade him. Hera tried to influence Poseidon to go against the orders of Zeus but Poseidon refused. Therefore, Hera and Athena headed off to aid the Greeks to fight the Trojans against the express order of Zeus.
When Zeus found out, he sent the god of rainbow, Iris, after them to warn them to return of face punishment. Later, Hera saw Poseidon coming to the aid of the Achaeans and encouraging them.
Hera Seduces Zeus in the Iliad
Still, the gods were afraid to go against Zeus’ order, and knowing how much the gods wanted to interfere, Hera distracted Zeus by seducing him and then he slept. Zeus then woke up to find out that the deities were interfering in the war without fear. The event of Hera seducing Zeus Iliad is known as the Deception of Zeus.
Hera the Jealous Wife
When Achilles’s mother, who is Thetis in the Iliad came to plead with Zeus to honor her son Achilles by aiding the Trojans, Hera becomes jealous and confronts her husband. She accused him of hatching plans behind her in one of the famous Hera quotes from the Iliad that explained how she is always there for pleasure, however, she is never aware of what happens with him, as he never shares the plots with her.
Conclusion
So far, we’ve been studying the role of Hera in Homer’s poem. Here is a summary of all that we’ve read:
- Hera bore a grudge against Paris for choosing Athena instead of her as the most beautiful goddess.
- Thus, she took the side of the Greeks and did all that she could to help them win the war against the city of Troy.
- Some of her efforts included seducing her husband, Zeus, convincing Athena and Poseidon to side with the Greeks and harming her son, Ares, for helping the people of Troy.
Hera’s plans worked out in the end as her favored side, the Achaeans, won the 10-year war and returned Helen to her husband Menelaus.
