The Iliad · Character
Hera
Queen of the gods, whose implacable hatred of Troy drives her to scheme against Zeus himself to aid the Greeks.
supporting
Also known as Juno, Argive Juno, queenly Juno, imperial Juno
First appearance: the iliad
As a supporting figure in The Iliad, Hera is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Sends Athena to restrain Achilles and later quarrels with Zeus over his promise to Thetis.
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Hera sits beside Zeus in council but works ceaselessly to undermine his neutrality, furious at Troy for the judgment of Paris and determined to see the city fall. She rebukes Ares, manipulates the other gods, and will…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Hera sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Hera in the iliadCharacter Web
48 connectionsA slice of how Hera sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Major Greek and Trojan Figures
- Protagonist
+43 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Jupiter’s wrath, as he…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Achilles
friendship · positive
Hera favors Achilles and the Greeks, often intervening to support him against the Trojans. How this plays out →
- Hector
rivalry · negative
- Achilles
friendship · positive
Hera favors Achilles and the Greeks, often intervening to support him against the Trojans. How this plays out →
- Achilles
friendship · positive
Hera favors Achilles and the Greeks, often intervening to support him against the Trojans. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Hera in the iliadIn the story
Hera appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Book I: The Contention of Achilles and Agamemnon
- Book IV: The Breaking of the Truce, and the First Battle
- Book VIII: The Second Battle
- Book XIV: The Fraud Practised on Jupiter by Juno
- Book XV: The Fifth Battle at the Ships
- Book XXI: The Battle in the River Scamander
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Hera unlock in the free preview.
See Hera in the iliad