Juno (mythology) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Juno
Goddess of marriage and childbirth
Member of the Capitoline Triad
Juno Sospita, a plaster cast based on an original in the Vatican Museums
Other names	Regina ("Queen")
Personal information
Consort	Jupiter
Children	Mars, Vulcan, Bellona, Juventas
Parents	Saturn
Siblings	Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Vesta, Ceres
Greek equivalent	Hera
Etruscan equivalent	Uni

Juno was an ancient Roman goddess, the protector and special counselor of the state. A daughter of Saturn, she is the wife of Jupiter and the mother of Mars, Vulcan, Bellona and Juventas.

She is the Roman equivalent of Hera, queen of the gods in Greek mythology; like Hera, her sacred animal was the peacock. Her Etruscan counterpart was Uni, and she was said to also watch over the women of Rome. As the patron goddess of Rome and the Roman Empire, Juno was called Regina ("Queen") and was a member of the Capitoline Triad (Juno Capitolina), centered on the Capitoline Hill in Rome; it consisted of her, Jupiter, and Minerva, goddess of wisdom. Juno is the patroness of marriage, and many people believe that the most favorable time to marry is June, the month named after the goddess.

Juns history is one of the most complex and disputed issues in Roman religion. Even more than other major Roman deities, Juno held a large number of significant and diverse names and titles representing various aspects and roles of the goddess. While her connection with the idea of vital force, fullness of vital energy, eternal youthfulness is now generally acknowledged, the variety and complexity of her personality has given rise to various interpretations among modern scholars.

Juno's own warlike aspect among the Romans is apparent in her attire. She is often shown armed and wearing a goatskin cloak. The traditional depiction of this warlike aspect was assimilated from the Greek goddess Athena, who bore a goatskin, or a goatskin shield, called the 'aegis'.

Images for kids

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  Juno-Hera, antique fresco from Pompeii

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  Juno's sacred geese warn the Romans while the Gauls approach the Capitol in 390 BC

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  IVNO REGINA ("Queen Juno") on a coin celebrating Julia Soaemias

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  Juno. Silver statuette, 1st–2nd century.

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  Juno; Vatican, Rome. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection

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  Ruins of the temple of Juno in Samos, painted by Luigi Mayer

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  Ancient Roman four-gods-stone (3rd century AD) with relief of Iuno or Minerva from Place Kleber. Archaeological Museum, Strasbourg

See also

In Spanish: Juno (mitología) para niños