Source Verification: Hebe

Every claim below is either what a named ancient source attests, in its own line or section, or a point where the sources themselves disagree.

What the Sources Attest

Who are Hebe's parents and siblings?

Hebe is a daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hesiod's Theogony names her alongside her siblings Ares, god of war, and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, all born to the same divine couple.

Source: Hesiod, Theogony 921-924

What is Hebe's role among the Olympian gods?

She serves as their cupbearer. Homer's Iliad shows her pouring nectar for the gods as they sit together on Olympus watching the Trojan War, and helping the wounded god Ares back to the divine assembly on another occasion.

Source: Homer, Iliad 4.2-3

Why does Hebe marry Heracles?

Once Heracles finishes his labors and joins the immortal gods, Hesiod's Theogony has him marry Hebe on Olympus, calling him fortunate to have completed his hard work and now live forever, untroubled and unaging, among beings like himself.

Source: Hesiod, Theogony 950-955

Does the Odyssey agree that Heracles marries Hebe?

Yes. When Odysseus meets Heracles's shade in the underworld, Homer is careful to explain that the shade is not the whole story: the real Heracles feasts among the immortal gods and has Hebe, "of the fair ankles," as his wife, while only his phantom lingers among the dead.

Source: Homer, Odyssey 11.601-604

Is Hebe replaced as cupbearer later in Greek myth?

Later tradition brings in Ganymede, a Trojan prince Zeus takes up to Olympus specifically to serve as cup-bearer, and by the time many readers encounter Greek myth, he is the more famous name for the job. Homer's own Iliad, though, has Hebe doing the pouring, with no mention of Ganymede taking over the role.

Source: Homer, Iliad 4.2-3

Sources

Primary sources

Hesiod, Theogony 921-924
Hesiod, Theogony 950-955
Homer, Iliad 4.2-3
Homer, Odyssey 11.601-604