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Juno, The Jealous Goddess

© Catherine Harris

Juno was one of the most powerful of the Roman goddesses. She was second in power only to Jupiter, her husband and according to some legends, her brother. She was the goddess of women, particularly married women. Serving as a guardian to women she oversaw all aspects of a woman's life, childbirth, and marriage being the primary areas of concern.

Her children Mars, Hebe, and Vulcan, were lesser gods in their own right. Juno was noted for her husband's affairs and her jealous reaction to them. She persistently tormented the offspring of his infidelities. Hercules and Perseus were two of the unfortuante victims of Juno's jealousy.

Perseus and his mother, Danae, were thrown into the sea after being locked in a wooden chest by Perseus's grandfather. Oracles had claimed that Perseus would kill his grandfather. Jupiter sent a wave to wash the chest with Perseus and his mother to an island where they were saved. Later, Perseus did kill his grandfather. Juno is the one who advised the grandfather to kill Perseus and his mother.

In Hercules' case she sent snakes and other trials to torment him. When he was older, Juno caused him to be given tasks that would have destroyed a lesser man. Jupiter again stepped in to lessen the tasks.

Juno was adamant that fidelity was a part of marriage, and she would not tolerate infidelity. In one case Echo, a particular friend of Jupiter, was accused of talking too much. Juno removed Echo's power of speech except to answer.

Her jealousy was documented by the Romans with various tales similar to the ones briefly described above. Women, especially married women celebrated several holidays dedicated to Juno.

Her primary celebration was on the first of March each year. The celebration consisted of a parade of married women to the temple of Juno bearing gifts for the goddess. In the homes, wives received gifts from their husbands, and the matron of the house would have a feast for the female slaves belonging to the household.

The date is significant since it is the date on which according to legend a temple was dedicated to Juno celebrating the first of the Sabine women becoming wives to their captors and the peace that resulted from the marriages. Called the Matronalia, this celebration was of importance to the women of Rome. Since it not only celebrated the peace from marriage, but also the fidelity that accompanied it. The other major celebration, Nonae Caprotinae, was similar in nature but was celebrated under a wild fig tree on July seventh.