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Juno (mythology)

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Juno was a very important goddess in the ancient Roman religion. She acted as a protector and a special advisor for the Roman state.

Iuno Petit Palais ADUT00168
Iuno Petit Palais ADUT00168

Many people called her "Queen" because of her high status. She was a member of the Capitoline Triad. This was a group of three major gods located on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. This group included Jupiter and Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.

Theater of Marcellus and Forum Olitorium
Theater of Marcellus and Forum Olitorium

Juno had many different roles and names. Some of her titles were linked to marriage, such as Pronuba and Cinxia. She was also seen as a goddess who watched over women and childbirth. One of her names was Lucina, which some people linked to the word for light.

Fresco from the Golden House of Nero, found in Rome in 1668, Ashmolean Museum (8401788678)
Fresco from the Golden House of Nero, found in Rome in 1668, Ashmolean Museum (8401788678)

People believed she helped bring newborns into the light. In some places, like Laurentum, she was even called Kalendaris Iuno to mark the start of the month.

Her history and family are also quite large. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops. Juno was both the sister and the wife of Jupiter. She was also the mother of several other figures, including Mars, Vulcan, Bellona, Lucina, and Juventas.

Carracci - Jupiter et Junon
Carracci - Jupiter et Junon

Her sacred animal was the peacock. Some people also connected her to the Etruscan goddess named Uni. She was a central figure in many towns across ancient Italy.

Juno was not always seen as a gentle figure. She also had a warlike side that the Romans respected. In art, she was sometimes shown armed and wearing a goatskin cloak.

Forum Holitorium - Lancianu 1893-1901
Forum Holitorium - Lancianu 1893-1901

This look was similar to the Greek goddess Athena. She was also often shown wearing a diadem on her head. Scholars study these different sides to understand her complex personality. Some think her many roles show her power over the community.

Her name might have many different meanings. Some thinkers thought her name came from words meaning "to aid." Others suggested it came from words related to youth or vital energy.

Denarius-Julia Soaemias-RIC 0237
Denarius-Julia Soaemias-RIC 0237

This connection to youth is seen in the name Juventas. Juno's many roles link her to many parts of life. She was connected to politics, the strength of the army, and the growth of the people. This made her a goddess who touched almost every part of Roman life.

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🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Wall painting - wedding of Zeus and Hera - Pompeii (VI 8 3) - Napoli MAN 9559 - 02.jpg
Wall painting - wedding of Zeus and Hera...
File:Pompeii - Casa dei Vettii - Ixion.jpg
Pompeii - Casa dei Vettii - Ixion.jpg
File:Fresco from the Golden House of Nero, found in Rome in 1668, Ashmolean Museum (8401788678).jpg
Fresco from the Golden House of Nero,...
File:Forum Holitorium - Lancianu 1893-1901.jpg
Forum Holitorium - Lancianu 1893-1901.jpg
File:Theater of Marcellus and Forum Olitorium.jpg
Theater of Marcellus and Forum Olitorium.jpg
File:Juno-Sospita (Altes Museum, Berlin) (10536426625).jpg
Juno-Sospita (Altes Museum, Berlin)...
File:Henri-Paul Motte Les oies sacrées sauvent le Capitole.jpg
Henri-Paul Motte Les oies sacrées sauvent...
File:Denarius-Julia Soaemias-RIC 0237.jpg
Denarius-Julia Soaemias-RIC 0237.jpg
File:Iuno Petit Palais ADUT00168.jpg
Iuno Petit Palais ADUT00168.jpg
File:Carracci - Jupiter et Junon.jpeg
Carracci - Jupiter et Junon.jpeg
File:S03 06 01 020 image 2539.jpg
S03 06 01 020 image 2539.jpg
File:Illustration from Views in the Ottoman Dominions by Luigi Mayer, digitally enhanced by rawpixel-com 59.jpg
Illustration from Views in the Ottoman...

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