The goddess Juno as the personification of the feminine in Roman mythology

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The Roman goddess Juno (analogue of the ancient Greek Hera) was considered the queen of heaven and atmosphere (including the mistress of lightning), as well as the patroness of marriage and motherhood. Significant is the fact that Juno became the personification of the feminine within the patriarchal society. A large role was assigned to the goddess in ensuring the security of the Roman state, it was believed that she helps to gather troops during military campaigns. According to legend, Juno once warned the Roman people of an imminent earthquake.

Divine Images

The goddess is depicted, usually with a scepter in her hand. Also, her integral companion is a peacock (or cuckoo). At the same time, Juno can have several hypostases, each of which has its own function: Juno-Populonia (protector), Juno-Moneta (adviser), Juno-Virginiensis (virgin), Juno-Pronuba (marriage), Juno-Rumina (nurse), Juno-Lucina (bright), Juno-Domiduk (introducing into the house), etc.

Kinship ties

Juno was the youngest daughter of the supreme deity of Saturn (in Greek mythology - Kron, Kronus) and his wife Rhea (in somesources identified with Opa), who was also his sister. She was also the sister of Jupiter (ancient Greek Zeus), Neptune (Poseidon - the god of the seas and earthquakes), Pluto (Plutos - the god of we alth), Vesta (Hestia - the goddess of the hearth) and Ceres (Demeter - the goddess of fertility). Jupiter subsequently becomes Juno's husband. The supreme goddess had three children: Mars (Ares - the god of war in Greek mythology), Vulcan (Hephaestus - the god of fire, as well as blacksmithing) and Juventa (Hebe - the goddess of youth).

History of Juno

According to mythology, Saturn received a prediction from his mother that one day he would be overthrown by his own son, born of Rhea. Fearing such an outcome, he swallowed all his children. However, the last, Jupiter, Rhea managed to save. As a result, the prophecy was destined to come true: Saturn was defeated by Jupiter, and the children previously swallowed by him (including Juno) were uprooted. After that, Jupiter becomes the supreme deity of Olympus and the husband of his sister Juno. At the same time, in order to achieve the favor of his sister, Jupiter, who is a master of reincarnation, takes the form of a cuckoo. Despite such a romantic beginning, the marriage of the two supreme gods of Olympus could not be called calm. Loving Jupiter often changed lovers (among which, for example, were Io, Callisto, etc.), which infuriated the jealous Juno, incurring her wrath both on himself and on his chosen ones.

Heavenly patronage

The goddess Juno was the patroness of heavenly light, includinglunar. According to ancient mythology, moonlight had a direct effect on the female essence. Accordingly, it was believed that Juno has a great influence on the physiology of women (during menstruation, pregnancy, etc.), as well as their vital activity (during marriage). In addition, the goddess Juno was a symbol of fertility and passion.

Goddess Worship

The cult of the goddess was widespread throughout Italy. So, for example, in the ancient Italian culture there was a ceremony of worship of the new moon. The temple of the goddess Juno was located on the top of the Capitol (one of the seven hills at the foundation of Rome). The worship of such gods as Jupiter and Minerva (in ancient Greek mythology - Athena, the goddess of wisdom) was also carried out there. The temple was founded in the month of June, which was also dedicated to Juno. At the temple, a mint was subsequently organized, while the symbol of the goddess was preserved, and it was also reflected in the name of the coins.

Another temple was located on the Esquiline, glorifying Juno. On the first day of March, the Matronalia festivities were held in the temple. The basis of them, according to legend, was the bloody battle prevented by the Sabine women. On this day, women enjoyed special respect from men, were presented with gifts, and slaves were temporarily relieved of their duties. In modern society, analogies are often made between the ancient Roman Matronalia and International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8.

Transformation of the divinelooks

The goddess Juno in ancient Rome gradually assimilated with the Greek goddess Hera. This process was due to the penetration of the Greek system of cults and traditions into the culture of Ancient Rome. So, during the second Punic War, Juno is found as an image along with the decemvirs (guardians of Greek rites and beliefs).

Besides, the goddess Juno as a symbol acquires an additional meaning: in addition to designating the wife of the supreme deity, in the Roman religious tradition, mythical creatures patronizing individual women are called junos. Just as every man had his own heavenly patron - a genius, every woman was guarded by her own Juno.