The Wrath of Hera

Zeus had many mistresses who he mated and bare a child with. As a jealous and unforgiving wife, Hera deemed to torture and punish them. Amongst the mistresses, some of them have suffered from the wrath of Hera, others are still in secrecy.

Io and Argus

Io, a Naiad nymph, was one of the priestess and loved by Zeus. In order to avoid Hera, Zeus turned Io into a cow. Hera then requested the cow to be tied to an olive tree and guarded by an Argus. Zeus commanded Hermes to bring the cow back from the Argus. Hermes went to the Mycenae and slayed the Argus with a rock and escort Io away. Hera then dispatch a gadfly to torture Io driving her around Europe and Asia until finally she rests in the Nile river and gave birth to her son Epaphus.

Semele and All mighty

The mother of an Olympian god, Semele was a Theban princess who Zeus fell in love with. They mated in which Zeus promised that he will grant everything she desires. Semele was deceived by Hera, disguising as a an aged nurse, convincing her to ask Zeus to appear in front of her as he appears for Hera. Unable to refuse her wishes, Zeus changed into his all mighty form in front of Semele. Semele was overcome by the fire and lightning, leaving her son. Dionysus who was saved by Zeus, later became the god of wine and one of the Olympian gods.

Leto and her twin children

Leto was one of the earlier lovers, she is a Titanes or Titanide Goddess of motherhood and daughter of the Titan Coeus. Being pregnant with twins, Zeus turned her into a quail in fear of being discovered by Hera. However, Hera then drove Leto across the sea and lands preventing her from giving birth. When she finally rest in a floating island of Delos, where she gave birth to Apollo, the god of music and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt.

The Nymph Othreis

An Oriead nymph bares a child with Zeus. In order to avoid Hera discovering about their affair, she places her child on top of a wood. The child was fed by bees and began to grow. Phagos, the song of Apollo and Ortheis, came across the child in the woods. Amazed by his growth, he took the child home to raised him, naming the child Meliteus.

Lust of Ixion

Ixion was in love with Hera and tried to mate with her. Hera reported about Ixion to Zeus, or which Zeus needed the validity of her statement. He then formed a replica of Hera from clouds and positioned her nest to Ixion to observe his reaction. Ixion haver about him sleeping with Hera and as a punishment, Zeus tied him onto a winding wheel.