#Zeus Teleios and #Hera Teleia are #gods that are made perfect in their #marriage. Their surnames quite literally translate to mean "having reached its end, finished, complete, perfect, entire, fulfilled" (LSJ).

#Hesiod says of Zeus: "Lastly, he made Hera his blooming wife: and she was joined in love with the king of gods and men, and brought forth #Hebe and #Ares and #Eileithyia" (Theogony, 921). She is His FINAL wife; a goddess chosen specially by Zeus to help him govern the cosmos.

In their #book "The Hera of Zeus: Intimate Enemy, Ultimate Spouse," scholars Gabriella Pironti and Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge describe the will of Zeus as being identical to that of Hera. This truth is exemplified in the #Iliad—Hera, who is lobbying for a #Greek victory at #Troy, steers Zeus's mind when she feels he is acting in ways that contradict his will.

In the introduction to Richmond Lattimore's translation of the Iliad, it is mentioned how early in the Epic Cycle, Zeus decided the winners of the #Trojan war centuries before it even took place. Despite this, he favors the Trojans over the Greeks because of their unwavering piety. He additionally considers saving his son—Sarpedon—from dying on the battlefield, but Hera reminds him that in doing so, the rest of the deathless gods would have free reign to save their children, too.

Hera frequently challenges Zeus in this way. And #Homer describes these interactions as being explosive, with Zeus often threatening violence which sends Hera fleeing. Regardless of this, though, he eventually succumbs to her wishes, knowing full well that Her will is His, and the pair reconcile.

Gabriella Pironti and Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge posit that the constant back-and-forth between the two divine sovereigns—Their endless falling apart and coming back together—serves as a cycle of renewal that balances the cosmos in perpetuity.

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🌬🪶 #AncientGreekReligion #HellenicPagan #HellenicPaganism #HellenicPolytheism #HellenicPolytheist 🌬🪶

It's the #DayOfDionysos here at Erotic Mythology every Saturday!
Baby #Dionysos is born from the thigh of his father #Zeus, a goddess helping him as a midwife, possibly #Hera or #Eileithyia.
Many of the other gods watch the scene, like #Pan right above and #Hermes right below.
#MerryChristmasEve to those who celebrate. May the joyful spirit of #Dionysos be with you 🍷

#mythology #AncMed @mythology @antiquidons #antiquidons #GreekMythology #GreekRomanArt