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Hebe

Hebe (meaning "youth" or "bloom of youth") is the goddess and personification of eternal youth in Greek mythology. She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera and the wife of the Greek hero Hercules. Hebe serves as the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, and she has the gift of restoring youth to mortals. 

In art, Hebe is depicted as a young virgin, holding a cup and wearing a flower crown or a golden wreath and a garment made up of varying colours. She often has dark hair and sparkling eyes and is sometimes accompanied by an eagle (symbolising Zeus). Pindar (c. 518 to c. 448/7 BCE), the ancient Greek lyric poet, referred to Hebe as the "fairest of all the goddesses" in his Nemean Odes, while in the OdysseyHomer (c. 750 BCE) states that she was famed for her "alluring ankles." Hebe's Roman counterpart is Juventas.

Hebe Stamp Collection

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USA 1879 Hebe Giving Drink to the Eagle of Jupiter

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Italy 2002 Hebe, sculpture of Antonio Canova (1757-1822)

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