the sister of zeus

6 Zeus Siblings: Who Are They?

As the son and eventual conqueror of the Titans, Zeus had an intense relationship with his family! Starting from the day his mother hid him so that he wouldn’t get swallowed like all his older siblings by their father, Zeus became a leader of gods and men. Amongst those gods were the siblings he rescued and led to war, before ruling alongside them on Olympus.

As well as the Olympians, Zeus had another half-brother through his father, Kronos. Each of Zeus’s siblings is listed below with some information about them, their relationships with the king of the gods, and details of how they were worshipped in ancient times.

4. Poseidon

The brothers and sisters of zeus.

The goddess of the hearth and original Olympian was the oldest-born of Kronos and Rhea. Her duty was to maintain the fires of Olympus and watch over all sacrifices. Of all the burnt offerings to the gods, a portion went to her.

She was celibate and chose to remain virginal, rejecting suits from her brother Poseidon and Zeus’s son, Apollo. Hestia was the first to be swallowed by Kronos and the last to be regurgitated. This made her both the oldest and the youngest of the siblings.

Though she was originally an Olympian, later myths named Dionysus in this role instead. There was no hard rule over which of them was the ‘official’ Olympian, and modern interpretations often claim that after Dionysus reached adulthood, she rescinded her throne on Olympus to him.

Hestia was mostly worshipped by the matriarchs of the household and those who valued chastity. She was considered the greatest goddess amongst the mortals. She was also worshipped by several military groups as a symbol of the domesticity which awaited them upon their return home.

The god of the dead and the king of the Underworld was the second child and first son of the Titans. He fought alongside his siblings during the Titanomachy and helped win Olympus, but when the three brothers drew lots to see where each would rule after, he selected the Underworld. Though he was one of the original gods, he never had a seat on Olympus.

Hades’s wife, Persephone, is usually the son of Zeus and their sister, Demeter. He abducted her with Zeus’s permission from Olympus and carried her to the Underworld to be his wife. By all accounts, their marriage was one of the most faithful in Greek myth, with very little infidelity and a culture where King and Queen ruled side by side.

As well as his duties in the Underworld, Hades was also a god of riches. In this form, he is known as Pluton, from which his Roman name, Pluto, is derived. This was because jewels and great metals were found underground, which is where the land of the dead was located.

Though Hades was not usually actually worshipped, neither was he derided by mortals, as he was not a Satanic figure. He was instead usually portrayed as ambivalent toward mortals, and did not involve himself in their affairs as his other siblings did except in very rare circumstances.

The second-born daughter of Rhea and Kronos was the goddess of the harvest and the seasons, as well as the guardian of sacred law. She had children with two of her three brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, and her daughter Persephone married her other brother, Hades. Demeter caused winter to express her grief the six months of the year that Persephone was in the Underworld with Hades and spring and summer for the joy of Persephone returning to Olympus.

This goddess was revered by many, and there were many female-only cults that dedicated themselves to her and her worship. The woman-only festival of Thesmophoria was celebrated all over Greece and kept secret from men, who were not even allowed to speak of it. Especially in Attica, all married women were expected to keep the festival, though unmarried women and non-citizens were not included.

Demeter’s children by Poseidon were the horse Arion and the goddess Despoina. By the human man Iasion, she bore Plutus, Corybas, and Philomelus. By Karmanor, she had Chrysothemis and Eubuleus. King Midas, was the father of Lityerses.

In Orphic myth, a version of Dionysus is a son of Demeter and Zeus.

Poseidon is often portrayed as the closest to Zeus, and the two brothers are very similar. With their philandering ways and audacious pride – not to mention their abundance of children – the god of the sea and the god of the sky were as alike as only brothers can be. Poseidon drew the oceans after the Titanomachy, and as well as ruling over those, he was god of horses, earthquakes, and storms.

One of his greatest rivals was Zeus’s daughter and his niece, Athena. The two competed over which would rule over the city of what is now known as Athens, but the mortals chose Athena in the end, to which Poseidon responded with a terrible flood.

Poseidon was heavily associated with horses. His son Arion, a sapient horse, was conceived after he chased Demeter, who tried to hide herself as a mare. He turned into a stallion and mounted her anyway. As well, the winged horse Pegasus is his son, born from the blood of Medusa after Poseidon raped her on the floor of a temple of Athena and she was later slain by Perseus.

His wife was Amphitrite, a sea nymph. Their son, Triton, was half-man and half-fish, making him one of the first mermen.

He was also the father of several monsters, including the Cyclops Polyphemus, who was blinded by Odysseus. After this, Poseidon targeted Odysseus as an enemy, and was the cause of his troubles in returning home. Pegasus’s twin brother Chrysaor, also monstrous, was Poseidon’s son and a father to giants.

Zeus’s older sister and his wife and queen, Hera was the Olympian goddess of marriage, childbirth, and family. She was the seventh and last woman married by Zeus, long after they fought together to overthrow Kronos. After the defeat of the Titans, the gods ascended for the next era – that of gods and men.

Unfortunately, she is mostly known for her jealousy over Zeus’s numerous extramarital affairs. Since she was harshly punished if she stood up to him directly, her focus settled on the unfortunate women and children in these unions. Despite the fact that she avoided his punishment, however, even Zeus feared her raging temper. Much of their story involves Zeus trying to escape from her punishments, too!

Zeus gained Hera’s hand in marriage through trickery. After deciding that only his sister would do for his queen, he transformed himself into the guise of an injured bird. When Hera took the bird inside and held it to her breast to comfort it, Zeus transformed back into humanoid form and raped her. In her shame, Hera agreed to marry him.

Her son Hephaestus is often Zeus’s child, but in many other versions of the myth she created him herself by parthenogenesis in revenge for Zeus birthing Athena from his forehead. Hephaestus was such an ugly child that she threw him from Olympus. He got revenge when he grew by creating a throne which trapped Hera in place, and only let her go when he was given Aphrodite’s hand in marriage.

Chiron was the wisest of the centaurs, different from all of the rest of his kind. His father was Kronos and his mother Philyra, whom Kronos impregnated in the form of a horse. Born half-horse, half-man, Chiron dedicated his life to study, and he became a mentor of many great heroes.

He was different from the other centaurs, who were much wilder and less eloquent. These centaurs were descended from Ixion and a cloud nymph named Nephele. While these centaurs had the torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse, Chiron’s front legs are usually those of a man.

Chiron was also a brilliant medic as well as an academic, and he discovered botany and herbal medicine and gave them to mortals. He also wore clothes, showing his advanced civilization when compared to other centaurs. They were considered wild and rough, and they were savage. Chiron was not accepted by them, but he was also rejected by non-centaurs when the centaurs were driven from their home.

First and foremost, Chiron was a mentor of wise men and heroes. Amongst others, he taught Heracles, Jason, Achilles, Perseus, Theseus, and even the god Dionysus. Many were his nephews as well as his students, and Dionysus was a particular favor of his. He married a nymph and by her had three daughters and one or two sons. To all of these, he was considered an excellent father.

After the Titan Prometheus was punished for bringing fire to humanity, Chiron gave up his immortal life to save him, allowing himself to be slain. Zeus took pity on his wise brother and placed him as a constellation amongst the stars.

About Andy Watkins

I have always been interested in mythology. From a very early age in Britain, I was known to sit at the breakfast table reading encyclopedias about many of the major world mythologies.

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Hera, Queen of the Gods, Was Both Wife and Sister of Zeus

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Behind every Greek god, there is a Greek goddess (or seven, if you're counting all of Zeus' wives). But Hera stands out among the crowd as the Queen of the Gods, and despite her husband/brother's (remember, this is Greek mythology) reputation for getting around, she holds the crown as the supreme goddess of marriage, women, the sky and the stars, and she's usually the one depicted by Zeus' side rocking a wreath and veil .

" As the wife (and sister) of Zeus, she is a powerful queen whose strong feelings and opinions often are opposed to her husband's," says Richard P. Martin , Antony and Isabelle Raubitschek professor in classics at Stanford University. "Proud, jealous and quick to take action when she feels spurned, she can be a danger to gods and mortals who get in her way."

But according to Martin, Hera also has a softer side. "On the other hand, she is fiercely protective of the institution of marriage, and also the one who watched over women in childbirth," he says. "In some places, she was even identified with the goddess of childbirth, Eileithyia ."

Born to Kronus and Rhea, Hera gained a reputation as the only " really married goddess among the Olympians ," and she had three children with Zeus: Ares, the god of war, Heba, the goddess of youth and Hephaestus, the god of metallurgy. She also gave birth to one son all on her own (again — that's Greek mythology for you). Learn more about that particular story and more in the following three Hera facts:

• Hera's Husband Was Super Unfaithful, but She Stayed by His Side
• She Threw Her Son Off Mount Olympus, Allegedly
• She Fought With Zeus Over His Love Affair With ... a Cow

1. Hera's Husband Was Super Unfaithful, but She Stayed by His Side

"She got angry and often got back at him but she did not leave — for whatever reason," Martin says. "If we apply some common modern ideas, we could, I suppose, suspect her of not wanting to abandon the good things — queenship and so on — that went along with being the wife of Zeus. Or maybe we would say that as an abused wife, she was terrified and unable to flee — something that happens."

Martin does, however, offer a warning about strongly siding with either theory. "It is important not to psychologize ancient myths," he says. "First, gods were not humans; by definition, they acted differently and sometimes enigmatically. Second, in actual Greek social terms, it was pretty much unimaginable that a wife would divorce or leave her husband's house — she and children would have no status or protection otherwise. But third — to my mind, the main reason — as goddess of marriage, Hera plays a symbolic role. Her very essence is to embody a bond that endures, socially, no matter how it is strained by people's behavior. It is like Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, being unable to leave the house — symbolically, she has to stay put."

2. She Threw Her Son Off Mount Olympus, Allegedly

"Well, as with most myths, there are alternative versions," Martin says. "One of the more common stories features a sort of tit-for-tat quarrel between Zeus and his wife — it looks like he started it. Hearing that a child of one of his many love interests would one day overthrow him, Zeus proceeded to swallow the minor goddess Mêtis ('cunning intelligence'), but as she was already pregnant, the child still had to come out — and it did so, out of Zeus' own head. That child was the goddess Athena."

According to Martin, this whole sequence of events did nothing but enrage Hera, who sought vengeance by bearing her own child, named Hephaestus, parthenogenetically , i.e., without any help from a male. "But when she saw the baby was lame, she rejected him and threw him off Mount Olympus," Martin says. "In real life — horrible to say — some ancient Greeks did in fact leave babies to die if they were considered physically defective. Sometimes they would be picked up by passers-by in the place they were exposed and then were raised by foster-parents."

Hephaestus managed to survive the long fall and landed on an island in the Aegean Sea where he was cared for and he eventually managed to become a master metal-worker. "To get back at his mother, he made a golden throne and sent it to her as a gift," Martin says. "But the chair had hidden bonds that sprang into action when Hera sat down, so she was held fast, unable to move. All the gods begged Hephaestus to let her go, but he refused until the god of wine, Dionysus, got him drunk and brought him to Olympus to undo the trick chair."

But as Martin alluded to, there is more than one version of the Hephaestus myth. "The other story is that it was in fact Zeus who threw Hephaestus off the mountain, and that due to this fall, he got injured and became lame in the first place," Martin says. "The plot in this alternative version was that Zeus had suspended Hera in chains, dangling her from Mt. Olympus (another weird touch — she's always being tied up somehow). He did that because she was harassing his own son, Heracles (born out of wedlock)." When Hera's own son, Hephaestus, came to her rescue, Zeus was incensed and ejected him from the mountain. "This one is sort of a mirror image of the first," Martin says. "Clearly, the stories got spun depending on whether the husband or wife divinity was being made to look bad."

3. She Fought With Zeus Over His Love Affair With ... a Cow

" Once there was a priestess of Hera from central Greece whose name was Io," Martin says. "Zeus, as was his way with many mortal women, desired her, but he knew Hera would be angry, so he hid his lover Io by changing her into a white cow." Hera had an inkling that something strange was going on between her husband and the bovine, so she made a sneaky move. "She innocently asked that this beautiful cow be given to her as a present, then she assigned a creature with 100 eyes (Argos) to keep watch over the animal."

As with most scenarios in their marriage, Zeus and Hera began a stand-off. "The same old tit-for-tat, spy-vs.-spy action ensued," Martin says. "Zeus sent Hermes to kill Argos and free the cow; Hera sent a gadfly to keep stinging the cow, so that Io ended up wandering all over the world — she eventually swam across the Bosporus (which is why it got the name, which means 'the cow-crossing' or, if you like, ' ox-ford '). Meanwhile, Hera felt bad for the all-seeing helper Argos and placed his 100 eyes in the tail of her favorite bird — the peacock," Martin says.

Hera is representd by two main symbols in Greek literature. The first is the cuckoo because, since Zeus was disguised in a cuckoo when he conquered her, it represented his love for her; and the pomegranate, a symbol of fertility, since Hera was also the patron goddess of childbirth.

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Demeter and Zeus

Demeter was one of Zeus’s sisters, but what other relationship did the two have? Read more to find out!

Demeter was one of the three daughters of Rhea and, thus, a sister of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades.

She had other connections to her brothers, however. She was the mother of children by both Zeus and Poseidon, and the mother-in-law of Hades.

Arguably her most famous myth is of the fury she displayed when Hades abducted and married her daughter, Persephone. Although Zeus , the king of the gods and the girl’s father, had arranged the marriage Demeter challenged his authority and forced the ruling gods to almost completely give in to her demands.

How was one of Zeus’s sisters so powerful that she could inspire fear in the two greatest kings of the gods?

Demeter was more than just a grain goddess . She was a representative of the powerful mother archetype and, according to some, another aspect of many of the most powerful mothers of Greek mythology.

Demeter, the Sister of Zeus

According to nearly all classical writings, Zeus and Demeter were brother and sister. Both were the children of Cronus and Rhea .

Demeter was among the siblings freed from their father’s stomach when Zeus began the Titanomachy. After the war, she took her place as the goddess of grains and plant growth.

Demeter was not only Zeus’s sister, however. She was also the mother of one of his children.

According to most writers, the siblings were the parents of Persephone. She and her mother were constant companions until Zeus arranged to have her abducted and taken to the underworld as the bride of Hades.

Demeter was so distraught at losing her daughter that she wandered the world searching for her. The goddess was furious when she learned that her brother, the girl’s father, had arranged her abduction without telling her.

Demeter demanded that her daughter be returned. If she was not, the goddess of grain would withdraw her gifts from the world.

If grain did not grow, the people of the world would starve to death. The gods would stop receiving their customary offerings as well.

The threat was so severe that Demeter was able to force her brothers to negotiate with her. Unfortunately, Persephone could not be freed entirely because she had eaten food from the underworld.

Despite this, Demeter was in such a powerful position to negotiate that she was able to regain custody of her daughter for the majority of the year. Persephone would spend only three months in the underworld, during which time the grain stopped growing and winter fell over the earth.

Zeus and Hades were both powerful kings, so for Demeter to force them into negotiations proved that she too was a strong deity. Her strength, as hinted to by her relationship with Zeus, shows her roots as a powerful goddess of the earth.

My Modern Interpretation

Much has been said about Demeter’s identification as a mother goddess. Her chief trait in most myths was her nurturing and maternal protectiveness.

The story of Persephone’s abduction features Demeter’s fierce protection of her child. It also highlights her role in nourishment and nurturing.

Without Demeter making grain grow, humanity would literally cease to exist. Her power over the growth of food was so absolute that Zeus himself would be injured by her withholding her gifts.

The maternal goddess of growth and the earth is an ancient archetype that long predates Demeter. Even in the Greek religion, Gaia was the older and more dominant mother goddess of the earth.

Gaia was a largely inactive force in later myths, however. While she had given birth to the earliest beings in creation, many of her duties were taken over by newer goddesses.

Demeter was one of these, but this was not her only link to motherhood. Once again, a relationship with Zeus shed light on the goddess’s true nature.

The Orphic cults had their own mythology which often had significant differences from the more mainstream Greek religion . While they largely had the same gods, the ways in which they viewed these deities was often very different.

According to the mystery cults, Persephone was in fact the daughter of Rhea , not Demeter. Zeus had taken the form of a serpent to mate with his own mother, then did the same with Persephone to give birth to Dionysus .

The Orphic cults went further, however, in saying that Rhea came to be known by a new name after this event. Demeter was not Rhea’s daughter , but was instead the name she came to be known by after her daughter’s birth.

Demeter was often conflated with other mother goddesses in various myths. Various interpretations have claimed that she was another aspect not only of Gaia and Rhea, but also of Dione or Persephone herself.

Interestingly, there is no surviving story of how Persephone was born other than the Orphic legend. While Demeter’s other children, including those fathered by Poseidon , have tales related to their conception there is no such story about Demeter and Zeus.

Some historians take this as further evidence that the tale arose out of a more ancient mother goddess tradition. Like Uranus and Gaia, Zeus and Demeter were once such powerful forces that an elaborate seduction or abduction story was not needed when the story first arose.

Other have pointed to the position of power Demeter held in negotiations with Zeus and Hades as proof that she was once far more powerful than the later myths implied. Zeus was the king of all the gods, and only the most powerful goddesses would be able to force him to do as they wanted.

Zeus and Demeter were brother and sister, but various Greek legends show a much more complex relationship between them.

They were usually credited as the parents of Persephone, although no legend survives that details the younger goddess’s birth story. Zeus arranged for Persephone’s marriage by abduction with Hades .

Neither the king of the gods nor the king of the underworld were willing to discuss the marriage with Demeter, however. Her reaction after learning the truth about her daughter’s disappearance showed that the two kings had reason to fear her anger.

As the goddess of the grain and vegetable crops, Demeter threatened to starve both humans and the gods if her daughter was not returned. While Persephone’s marriage could not be completely undone, Demeter’s position was so strong that she was able to keep her daughter with for two thirds of the year.

Demeter’s strength relative to the two greatest kings of the pantheon is evidence of her position as a great mother goddess. Various traditions and interpretations saw Demeter as another name for not only Persephone but also Rhea and even Gaia.

As a representative of the mother earth archetype, Demeter may have once been revered as a general life-giving goddess rather than one specifically related to food crops. Her interactions with Zeus may be remnants of an older tradition in which the mother goddess surpassed even the king in power.

My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. Please like and share this article if you found it useful.

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Who Are Zeus’s Siblings? (All 6 Brothers & Sisters of Zeus) 

• August 26, 2023
• Greek Mythology

Zeus is one of the most important and well-known figures in Greek Mythology. As the ruler of Mount Olympus and the king of the gods, Zeus held a position of utmost importance. Despite being revered as the ultimate father figure and the leader of all deities, a considerable number of the fellow Olympians were, in fact, Zeus’s siblings, each governing their distinct domains. 

Through his triumph over the Titans, Zeus brought an end to the wars of succession in Greek myth, conclusively breaking the cycle of celestial conflicts for control of the throne. This victory solidified his position as the eternal sovereign of the cosmos, ensuring his enduring rule.

How Many Siblings Did Zeus Have?

Zeus has a total of six siblings, five of whom are his full brothers and sisters, while the sixth Chiron is his half-sibling. The three sisters of Zeus are Hestia, Demeter and Hera. His two brothers were Hades and Poseidon.

How Were Zeus and His Siblings Born?

The tale of the birth of Zeus and his siblings unfolds within the Greek Myth of Zeus and Cronus . This narrative illuminates how Zeus, through his cunning, liberated his siblings and wrested control of the cosmos from Cronus and the Titans. 

Cronus’s relationship with his own progeny was strained, stemming from a prophecy shared by his parents, Gaia and Uranus, foretelling his eventual downfall at the hands of one of his own offspring. In response, Cronus adopted drastic measures, swallowing each of his children whole to thwart their potential rebellion. 

However, when Zeus was born, his mother Rhea cunningly swapped Zeus with a swap wrapped in baby clothes, shielding him from Cronus’s grasp. Rhea entrusted Zeus to the care of Cynosura, a sea nymph. As Zeus matured, he masterminded the eventual freedom of his siblings by creating a beverage of mead infused with a potent drug. 

Cronus drank the mead, causing him to regurgitate all that he had ingested, including Zeus’s brothers and sisters. This made Zeus, both the youngest and eldest child of Cronus and Rhea in a weird paradox.

Hestia, the firstborn of Cronus and Rhea, assumes the role of the goddess of the hearth, family, home, and state. Her being the first Olympian god to be born affords her the privilege of receiving the inaugural offering in each household sacrifice to the Greek deities. Subsequently, Zeus bestowed upon her the honor of overseeing all gifts. 

In her divine existence, Hestia refrained from bearing children. This commitment to eternal virginity was established shortly after both Apollo and Poseidon vied for her affections. Despite her lack of motherhood, numerous depictions present her in a maternal light, illustrating her embodiment of domestic life. 

Often portrayed tending to a hearth, Hestia sanctuaries and temples frequently featured an unending flame symbolizing her profound connection to fire. Allowing this flame to extinguish was a grave dereliction of duty.

The responsibility of upholding Hestia’s cult mainly fell to the women of the household. While a significant goddess, she assumes a less active role compared to her more dynamic siblings. While her brothers and sisters engaged in the affairs of mortals and heroes, Hestia dedicated herself to the preservation of hearths and homes. Her serene presence and commitment to the foundational aspects of life ensured the stability and continuity of Greek households and communities.

Demeter 

Demeter, the second sister of Zeus is the Olympian goddess of harvest and agriculture. Revered for her influence on grains and the overall fertility of the soil, Demeter’s presence ensured bountiful harvests and the sustenance of ancient Greek communities. This goddess also extended her dominion over sacred law and the cycle of life and death, earning her the title of Thesmorphos, the “bringer of divine law.”

Beyond her role as a sister to Zeus, Demeter’s personal history is entwined with the myth of Hades and Persephone . She was not only a sibling but also a former consort to Zeus. Their brief liaison resulted in the birth of Persephone, a name forever etched in Greek mythology.

The mythology of Demeter and Persephone explains the ebb and flow of the seasons. During the time Persephone resides with Demeter, flora flourishes, and the soil yields its treasures. As she journeys to the Underworld for the winter, the earth turns barren and lifeless. This timeless tale captures the essence of nature’s cyclical rhythm and the eternal connection between the goddesses and the land they nurture.

Hera, the final sister among Zeus’ siblings is the Olympian deity embodying women, marriage, childbirth, and family. She is not just Zeus’s site, but also claims the title of Zeus’ wife, making her the reigning Queen of Mount Olympus. Often depicted in regal form, she’s encircled by sacred animals like cows, peacocks, and lions.

Hera’s marital bond with Zeus bore several offspring, including renowned deities like Ares , the god of war; Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth; Hephaestus, the blacksmith god; and Hebe, the goddess of eternal youth. Additionally, the Charities sprang from her divine lineage.

Greek mythology is filled with stories of Hera’s struggles with jealousy, a recurrent theme often centering on her husband’s infidelity. Notably, she transformed Io into a cow due to her husband’s transgressions. 

While Hera herself remained steadfast in fidelity, Zeus’ numerous consorts bore him countless children, driving Hera to seek vengeance. Her wrath particularly targeted figures like Leto, the mother of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis.

Hera’s complex character weaves through tales of loyalty, rivalry, and maternal instincts, painting her as both a formidable goddess and a figure grappling with the challenges of her divine marriage.

Hades, the eldest brother of Zeus, holds dominion over the Underworld , a realm linked to his name. Born to Cronus and Rhea, Hades was the last of the Olympian siblings disgorged by Cronus after the Titanomachy. 

Following the war with the Titans, Zeus, and his brothers faced the task of allocating their respective domains. Zeus claimed the sky, Poseidon the ocean, and Hades assumed rulership over the Underworld. This realm became inseparable from his identity. Hades adeptly embraced his role, dedicating his time to governing the departed souls under his jurisdiction. 

In ancient Greece, he evoked widespread fear, and his name was often left unspoken. Hades seemingly relished in this fear, though he himself was portrayed as passive, maintaining a delicate equilibrium. While depicted as cold and stern, he enforced his laws impartially among his subjects. 

Many stories involving Hades revolved around others’ attempts to manipulate the Underworld’s rules for their benefit. Hades opposed endeavors to elude death or journeys back to the realm of the living. 

Hades spent his days in his Underworld palace, alongside his wife Persephone, whom he had previously abducted. Through cunning manipulation, he bound her to him by compelling her to consume pomegranate seeds, thus forever intertwining their fates according to the associated myth.

Poseidon was the fifth offspring of Cronus and Rhea. He is the Olympian deity who rules over and governs the seas, storms, earthquakes, and horses. Revered as the principal god in the Greek cities of Pylos and Thebes, Poseidon’s standing among the Olympians is paramount, yet his reputation isn’t without its destructive aspects. 

Poseidon’s mood mirrors the condition of his domain; thus, his temperament could range from benevolent to fierce. Mariners, in particular, bore the brunt of his wrath. Often wielding his formidable Triden, he could convulse the earth and unleash thunderous storms, capable of swiftly capsizing ships. 

Notably, Poseidon’s interventions impacted significant narratives, such as delaying Odysseus’ journey in the Odyssey. The myth Poseidon and Athena tells about a competition between them to become the chief deity of Athens. Athena triumphed over Poseidon and became the patron goddess of Athens. 

Poseidon tried to appease the city by creating a spring using his trident, but Athens opted for Athena’s gift of the olive tree. In response, Poseidon unleashed a catastrophic flood to chastise the Athenians.

Despite his marital ties to the Nereid goddess Amphitrite, Poseidon, akin to his brother Zeus, engaged in numerous affairs with both goddesses and mortal women. This resulted in the siring of renowned Greek heroes like Theseus , Orion, Pegasus, and Bellerophon.

Chiron – The Half Brother of Zeus

Chiron stands apart from his fellow siblings of Zeus, for he isn’t counted among the Olympian gods. He is a Centaur and a half-sibling to the first Olympians. His parentage connects him uniquely to Cronus as his father and the Oceanid nymph Philyra as his mother, rendering him a half-brother to Zeus. 

Notably, Chiron defies the common reputation of centaurs, which typically depicted them as wild, indulgent revelers and often uncivilized troublemakers. Unlike these stereotypes, Chiron emerges as a wise and civilized centaur, owing much to his lineage and upbringing. Raised not by his birth parents but by Apollo, Chiron acquired a wide range of skills from medicine to archery and even music. 

Chiron instructed prominent figures in Greek mythology serving as a teacher. Some of his most prominent students included Asclepius, Aristaeus, Actaeon, Achilles, Jason, and Medus, who was the half-brother of Theseus. Chiron’s influence extends to significant myths, including the Argonauts’ tale, in which he hospitably received them during their voyage.

Tragically, Chiron met his end through an accidental injury inflicted by Hercules’ poisoned arrows. Intriguingly, Chiron had willingly relinquished his immortality for the freedom of Prometheus, as he believed Prometheus’ act of gifting fire to humans was righteous. Following his demise, Chiron’s legacy was immortalized as the constellation Centaurus among the stars.

Also Read: The Children of Hades: Did Hades Have Children in Greek Myth

Gods and Goddesses

Stories and Facts about Ancients Gods from Ancient History

Sisters of Zeus

Zeus’s sisters were the three daughters of Cronus and Rhea:

Hestia was the goddess of the hearth and home, Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and fertility, and Hera was the queen of Olympus and the goddess of marriage and childbirth.

Hera was the goddess of marriage, women and childbirth in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and the sister of Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, Hestia and Zeus. Hera married Zeus and became the queen of Olympus.

Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature, especially against Zeus’ numerous lovers and illegitimate children. Hera frequently interfered in Zeus’ affairs.

Despite her jealous and vengeful nature, Hera was also known for her kindness and compassion, especially towards women and children. She was considered the protector of marriage and childbirth, and was often invoked by women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Hera is one of the most important goddesses in Greek mythology. She was worshiped by all classes of society, from the poorest farmer to the wealthiest king. Hera was also one of the Twelve Olympians, the group of gods who resided on Mount Olympus.

Hestia was the Greek goddess of the hearth and home. She was the eldest of the Olympian gods , and was considered the most important because her domain encompassed everything necessary for human life – food, warmth, and shelter.

Hestia was a domestic goddess, and was often portrayed as a kindly old woman tending to her fire. However, she was also a powerful goddess, and her status as the goddess of the hearth made her one of the most revered deities in ancient Greece.

Hestia was an important goddess in both public and private life. In the public sphere, she was responsible for the sanctity of the home, and was thus worshipped by families and communities.

Hestia was a popular goddess, and her temples were found in many cities across Greece. She was also one of the twelve Olympian gods, and was thus included in many of the stories and myths of Greek mythology.

Demeter is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, sister of Zeus.

Demeter is the goddess of harvest and fertility. She is responsible for the growth of plants and the abundance of crops. Demeter is a kind and loving goddess who is greatly loved by her children.

When her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades , Demeter became so distraught that she withdrew her support from the world and caused all plant life to wither and die. Only when Persephone was returned to her did Demeter once again bestow her gifts upon the earth.

What You Need to Know About the Greek God Zeus

Sky and Thunder God

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The Greek god Zeus is the top Olympian god in the Greek pantheon. He was the son of Kronos and his sister Rhea, the eldest of six: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Knowing that he was to be overpowered by his own son, Kronos swallowed each of them at birth. Zeus was the last, and when he was born, his mother sent him to Gaia in Crete, replacing Zeus with a large stone wrapped in swaddling clothes. Zeus grew up quickly and forced his father to vomit up each of his siblings.

Zeus and his siblings confronted his father and the Titans in the greatest battle ever fought: the Tianomachy. The battled raged for 10 years, but finally Zeus and his siblings won out. credit for rescuing his brothers and sisters from their father and titan Cronus, Zeus became king of heaven and gave his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, the sea and the underworld, respectively, for their domains.

Zeus was the husband of Hera, but he had many affairs with other goddesses, mortal women, and female animals. Zeus mated with, among others, Aegina, Alcmena, Calliope, Cassiopea, Demeter, Dione, Europa, Io, Leda, Leto, Mnemosyne, Niobe, and Semele.

In the Roman pantheon, Zeus is known as Jupiter.

Zeus is father of gods and men. A sky god, he controls lightning, which he uses as a weapon, and thunder. He is king on Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods . He is also credited as the father of Greek heroes and the ancestor of many other Greeks. Zeus mated with many mortals and goddesses but is married to his sister Hera (Juno).

Zeus is the son of the ​​ Titans Cronus and Rhea. He is the brother of his wife Hera, his other sisters Demeter and Hestia, and his brothers Hades and Poseidon .

Roman Equivalent

The Roman name for Zeus is Jupiter and sometimes Jove. Jupiter is thought to be made up of a Proto-Indoeuropean word for god, *deiw-os , combined with the word for father, pater , like Zeus + Pater.

Zeus is shown with a beard and long hair. He is often associated with an oak tree, and in illustrations he is always a stately figure in the prime of life, bearing a scepter or thunderbolt, and accompanied by an eagle. His is also associated with a ram or a lion and wears an aegis (a piece of armor or shield), and carries a cornucopia. The cornucopia or (goat) horn of plenty comes from the story of his Zeus' infancy when he was nursed by Amalthea.​

Powers of Zeus

Zeus is a sky god with control over weather, especially of rain and lightning. He is King of the gods and a god of oracles—especially in the sacred oak at Dodona. In the story of the Trojan War , Zeus, as a judge, listens to the claims of other gods in support of their side. He then renders decisions on acceptable behavior. He remains neutral most of the time, allowing his son Sarpedon to die and glorifying his favorite, Hector .

Etymology of Zeus and Jupiter

The root of both "Zeus" and "Jupiter" is in a proto-Indo-European word for the often personified concepts of "day/light/sky".

Zeus Abducts Mortals

There are many myths about Zeus. Some involve demanding acceptable conduct of others, whether human or divine. Zeus was enraged with the behavior of Prometheus . The titan had tricked Zeus into taking the non-meat portion of the original sacrifice so that mankind could enjoy the food. In response, the king of the gods deprived mankind of the use of fire so they wouldn't be able to enjoy the boon they'd been granted, but Prometheus found a way around this, and stole some of the gods' fire by hiding it in a stalk of fennel and then giving it to mankind. Zeus punished Prometheus with having his liver pecked out every day.

But Zeus himself misbehaves—at least according to human standards. It is tempting to say that his primary occupation is that of seducer. In order to seduce, he sometimes changed his shape into that of an animal or bird.

• When he impregnated Leda, he appeared as a swan;
• When he abducted Ganymede, he appeared as an eagle in order to take Ganymede to the home of the gods where he would replace Hebe as cupbearer; and
• when Zeus carried off Europa, he appeared as a tempting white bull—although why the Mediterranean women were so enamored of bulls is beyond the imaginative capacities of this urban-dweller—setting in motion the quest of Cadmus and the settling of Thebes . The hunt for Europa provides one mythological version of the introduction of letters to Greece.

The Olympic Games were initially held to honor Zeus.

Sources and Further Reading

• Hard, Robin. "The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology." London: Routledge, 2003. 
• Leeming, David. "The Oxford Companion to World Mythology." Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, 2005. 
• Smith, William, and G.E. Marindon, eds. "A Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology, and Geography." London: John Murray, 1904. 
• Profile of the Roman God Jupiter
• A Biography of the Greek God Hades
• The Greek God Poseidon, King of the Sea
• Genealogy of the Olympic Gods
• Genealogy of the First Gods
• Birth of the Olympian Gods and Goddesses
• Fascinating Stories About the Greek God Cronos
• The Greek God Hades, Lord of the Underworld
• Greek Gods, Myths, and Legends
• Drawings of the Greco-Roman Gods and Goddesses
• Hera - Queen of the Gods in Greek Mythology
• Summary of the Iliad Book I
• Cannibals in Greek Mythology
• 12 Olympians - The Gods and Goddesses of Mt. Olympus
• Immortals From Greek Mythology

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Who were Zeus´Siblings?

Although Zeus was respected as an allfather and the chief of the gods, in fact, many of the other Olympians were his siblings. He was the child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and he was paradoxically both the youngest and the oldest child.

That was because soon after the Creation of the world, Cronos –who was its ruler- swallowed Zeus’ three sisters and two brothers at birth: Demeter, Hera, Hestia, Hades, and Poseidon, because he had learned that one of them would overthrow him.

He would have had the same fortune if his mother Rhea hadn’t slipped Cronus a stone wrapped in baby clothes in his place, hiding the youngest offspring in a cave on the island of Crete. Zeus grew up in secret and he then managed to trick his father into regurgitating all his siblings.

The siblings of Zeus were:

Who Were the Brothers and Sisters of Zeus?

Hera was the goddess of marriage, family, and women, and also the legal wife of Zeus. She presided over weddings, blessing every marital union. Hera was commonly depicted with the animals she considers sacred, including the cow, lion, and peacock.

Although she was always faithful to her husband, Hera was most famous for her jealous nature against Zeus’ numerous lovers and illegitimate offspring, as well as the mortals who dared to insult her. She had four children with Zeus: Ares, the god of war, Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, Hebe, the goddess of eternal youth, and Hephaestus, the god of fire.

Also known as Pluto (the wealthy one), Hades was one of Zeus’ brothers and the ruler of the Underworld. Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea, although the last son to be regurgitated by his father.

After Cronus was defeated by the gods, his sons divided his kingdom among them, and the realm of the dead fell by lot to Hades. There he ruled with his wife, Persephone, aided by the Cerberus, a three-headed dog who guarded the gates of death. Hades was the most feared of the gods, and he has been described by both Homer and Hesiod as “pitiless”, “loathsome”, and “monstrous”.

Hestia was the firstborn child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and the goddess of family, the home, the state, and the hearth. When the gods Apollo and Poseidon became suitors for her hand she swore to remain an eternal virgin, and so Zeus bestowed upon her the honor of presiding over all sacrifices.

Customarily Hestia received the first offering at every sacrifice in the household. Hestia was closely connected with Zeus, in his more hospitable form, and with Hermes, the two representing domestic life on the one hand, and business and outdoor life on the other. Philosophers of late antiquity also considered Hestia the hearth goddess of the universe.

Poseidon was one of the twelve Olympians and the brother of Zeus. He ruled over the kingdom of the sea, and he was also the god of storms and earthquakes. In several Greek cities, such as Thebes and Pylos, he was venerated as the chief deity.

He is often regarded as the tamer or father of horses, and with a strike of his trident, he created springs, which are related to the word horse. Poseidon was the protector of seafarers and of several Greek cities and colonies. In Plato’s ‘Timaeus’ and ‘Critias’, the legendary island of Atlantis was Poseidon’s domain.

The daughter of Cronus and Rhea, Demeter was also one of the consorts of Zeus, with whom he had one daughter, Persephone. She was also the goddess of agriculture and of vegetation in general. In a wider sense, she was akin to Gaea, with whom she had several epithets in common, and was sometimes identified with the Great Mother of the Gods.

Her cult titles include Sito (Σιτώ), “she of the Grain”, and Thesmophoros (bringer of the divine law), since she presided over the sacred law, and the cycle of life and death. Together with her daughter Persephone they formed the central theme of the Eleusinian Mysteries, a religious tradition that predated the Olympian pantheon, and which may have its roots in the Mycenaean period.

In Greek mythology, Chiron was one of the Centaurs, the son of the Titan Cronus and Philyra, an Oceanid sea nymph. He was thus a half-brother to Zeus. Unlike other Centaurs, who were considered violent and savage creatures, he was famous for his wisdom and knowledge of medicine.

He was the tutor of several Greek heroes, such as Heracles, Achilles, Jason, and Asclepius. He was raised by the god Apollo, who taught him the art of medicine, archery, prophecy, and music, helping him rise against his beastly nature.

He was accidentally pierced by a poisoned arrow shot by Heracles, he renounced his immortality in favor of Prometheus and was placed among the stars as the constellation Centaurus.

You might also like: The sons of Zeus The daughters of Zeus The wives of Zeus Olympian Gods and Goddess Family Tree The 12 Gods of Mount Olympus The 12 Best Greek Mythology Books for Adults 25 Popular Greek Mythology Stories

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Greek Gods & Goddesses

Hera – Greek Goddess of Marriage and Queen of Olympus

Hera is the queen of the gods and is the wife and sister of zeus.

She is known for being the Goddess of Marriage & Birth. Despite being the Goddess of Marriage, she was known to be jealous and vengeful towards the many lovers and offspring of her husband Zeus.

She was also known to turn her anger towards mortals who crossed her as well – for example, Paris , who chose Aphrodite over Hera as the most beautiful goddess at the marriage of the sea-nymph Thetis to a mortal called Peleus .

In images and statues , Hera is portrayed as being majestic and solemn, crowned with the polos – a high cylindrical crown worn by many of the Great Goddesses.

Even before her marriage with Zeus, she ruled over the heavens and the Earth. This is one reason why she is referred to as ‘The Queen of Heaven’ – ruling over Mount Olympus where all the gods and goddesses live.

Even the great Zeus feared his wife Hera. Her never-ending hatred of Heracles, the illegitimate son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene stemmed from his continuous adultery and, amongst other things, Hera raised a storm at sea in order to drive Heracles out of his course to kill him.

Zeus became so angry that he hung her in the clouds by a golden chain, and attached heavy anvils to her feet. Her son Hephaestus tried to release his mother from her humiliating position, for which Zeus threw him out of heaven, and his leg was broken by the fall.

Powers of Hera

Hera could control human bonds and relationships as well as fertility, birth and reproduction. She could make others pregnant or get pregnant herself – Hephaestus was born without help from Zeus.

Hera’s abilities also included manipulating curses, for example- transforming humans into beasts or making them insane. One nymph she cursed was Echo, who could only ever repeat the words of others.

Facts about Hera, Queen of the Olympian Gods

• Hera was Queen of the Olympian gods .
• She was the wife and sister of Zeus .
• Hera was a jealous wife, and she fought with Zeus frequently over his extramarital affairs and illegitimate children . For this reason, Hera was known for punishing offending husbands.
• She was the protector of women, presiding over marriages and births.
• She had three children with Zeus – Hebe , Ares , and Hephaestus.
• While Hera was worshipped in all parts of Greece, temples were erected in her honor at Argos and Salmos.
• The peacock was sacred to her.
• Hera had few, if any, redeeming qualities. She never forgot an injury.
• The Titans Ocean and Tethys brought her up.
• Hera is often described as “cow-faced,” although she was also called the chief among the immortals in beauty.
• Though she may have been physically attractive, her vindictive personality makes her less so.
• The Trojan War would have ended in peace, but Hera had a vested interest in its outcome and influenced Zeus to either switch sides or remain neutral.
• Hera had no concept of justice when angry or jealous; she could not forgive the women with whom Zeus had sexual relations—even if they were innocent of wrongdoing.
• Ilithyia, a daughter of Hera’s, assisted women in childbirth.
• In the story of the Quest of the Golden Fleece , Hera was a gracious protector of the heroes.
• Paris awarded Aphrodite the Golden Apple over Athena and Hera.
• Hera punished one of Zeus’s love interests, Io, by putting her in the charge of Argus. Argus had a hundred eyes and kept vigilant watch over her so that Zeus could not come to her aid.
• Hera turned Callisto into a bear because Zeus fell in love with her.
• Hera arranged the death of Semele , another of Zeus’s mortal conquests, although she did not directly cause it.
• Hera never forgave Hercules for being Zeus’s son , but when Hercules died and was taken to heaven, he and Hera reconciled. While in heaven, Hercules married Hera’s daughter Hebe.
• In some stories, it was at Hera’s orders that Dionysus was torn to pieces. He was brought back to life, and it is this resurrection that was celebrated in theatres.

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Greek Mythology: Who is Zeus’s Sister

• October 20, 2023
• by Emerge Woman Magazine

Home » Greek Mythology: Who is Zeus’s Sister

Zeus’s Family Tree

Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, is a well-known figure. But did you know that he has a sister? In Greek mythology, Zeus’ sister is none other than Hestia. While Zeus is often associated with power and thunderbolts, Hestia is the goddess of the hearth and home. Despite being less well-known than her famous brother, Hestia plays a significant role in Greek mythology and is revered for her important responsibilities.

Hestia’s role as the goddess of the hearth and home is essential in Greek mythology. In ancient times, the hearth was the center of the home, where families gathered for warmth and nourishment. Hestia was the protector of the hearth, ensuring the safety and well-being of the family. Her presence was considered vital for the harmony and stability of the household. While Zeus was busy ruling the heavens, Hestia was the one who looked after the domestic sphere, making her a highly respected figure in Greek culture.

Despite her importance, Hestia is often overshadowed by her more famous siblings, such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. However, her significance should not be underestimated. Hestia’s role as the goddess of the hearth and home symbolizes the importance of family and the warmth of a welcoming home. In Greek mythology, she represents the values of hospitality and domestic harmony, reminding us of the essential role that the hearth plays in our lives. So, while Zeus may be the king of the gods, Hestia’s influence on Greek mythology is equally significant.

Who is Zeus’s Sister

Hestia – the sister of Zeus in Greek mythology, is often overshadowed by her more famous siblings. However, her role as the goddess of the hearth and home is essential and represents the values of family, hospitality, and domestic harmony. While Zeus is known for his power, Hestia’s influence on Greek mythology is equally significant.

Hestia is one of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses, and she is the eldest of the siblings. She is often depicted as a modest and gentle goddess, and her presence brings warmth and comfort to the home. Hestia’s name is derived from the Greek word “hestia,” meaning “hearth,” which further emphasizes her connection to the domestic sphere.

As the goddess of the hearth, Hestia’s role was vital in ancient Greek society. The hearth was the center of the home, where families gathered for meals and shared their daily lives. Hestia was responsible for maintaining the sacred fire that burned on the hearth, symbolizing the warmth and unity of the family. It was believed that as long as the fire burned, the family would be protected and their home would be blessed.

Hestia’s influence extended beyond the hearth and home. She was also associated with hospitality and the sacred flame of the city. In ancient Greece, the hearth of the city was considered the hearth of Hestia, and it was a place where citizens could come together in peace and unity. Hestia was revered as the guardian of the city and the embodiment of communal harmony.

Demeter – One of the other sisters of Zeus is Demeter, the goddess of harvest. She is known for her role in agriculture and fertility. Demeter was responsible for the growth of crops and the abundance of the harvest. She was often depicted holding a sheaf of wheat or a cornucopia, symbolizing the bountiful harvest.

Hera – the sister and wife of Zeus, holds a prominent position in Greek mythology as the Queen of Gods. As one of the most powerful goddesses, she played a crucial role in the divine hierarchy. Hera was not only Zeus’s sister and wife but also his equal in power and authority. Their relationship was complex, filled with both love and conflict.

Despite their union, Zeus’s infidelity and numerous affairs tested Hera’s patience and loyalty. She often expressed her anger and jealousy towards Zeus’s paramours and their illegitimate children. These conflicts and Hera’s vengeful nature led to many epic stories and mythological tales.

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Lion wanders streets of Italian town after escaping from circus

Residents of Ladispoli, on the coast near Rome, told to stay at home before animal was sedated and captured

A lion prowled the streets of an Italian seaside town for several hours after escaping from a local circus, prompting campaigners to call for Italy to ban wild animals in entertainment.

Alessandro Grando, the mayor of Ladispoli, near Rome, had told residents to stay at home on Saturday while police and circus staff sought to catch the animal, which was eventually sedated and captured.

Videos later published in Italian media, apparently taken by locals and not authenticated by the Guardian, showed the adult lion walking through dark and deserted streets.

But Rony Vassallo, who is responsible for the animals in the Rony Roller Circus, said that while the thought of confronting a lion would make most people fearful, eight-year-old Kimba posed little danger.

“He met with people in an environment he wasn’t used to ... and nothing happened. He didn’t even for a second have the instinct to attack a person,” he told AFP at the circus site. He said his fear had been “that someone could have harm the animal, out of fear, or excess enthusiasm”.

In a Facebook post at about 10.30pm (2130 GMT), more than five hours after his message raising the alarm, Grando said the lion had been “sedated and captured”. “Now he will be taken in hand by the circus staff,” he wrote, thanking emergency services and volunteers who helped during “these hours of great concern”.

“I hope that this episode can stir some consciences, and that we can finally put an end to the exploitation of animals in circuses,” the mayor added.

Anticipating residents’ complaints, he earlier said he had not authorised the presence of a circus with lions in the town, but that he did not have the power to block it.

Vassallo said Kimba had been only lightly sedated and had woken up almost immediately, while examinations by vets had concluded he bore no ill-effects from his excursion.

But the handler, whose family runs the travelling circus, said they were all “very shaken and very tense” after the escape, which he believed was not an accident. Vassallo said he had personally checked on the cage an hour before the lion went walkabout, and “everything was in order”.

He declined to comment on reports of sabotage, including that the lock was forced, saying an investigation was under way. But he said it had never happened before and it was “very strange”.

Kimba was born and raised in captivity, alongside his two brothers, Zeus and Ivan, and sister Maya. The circus has drawn the ire of animal rights campaigners, who say keeping such wild creatures is cruel.

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More than 20 European countries have banned or heavily restricted the use of animals in circuses, but Italy is not yet among them.

A law has been drafted but was this year delayed to 2024, according to the LAV campaign group, which estimated that just under 2,000 animals are held in circuses across Italy.

What happened in Ladispoli “highlights the dangers of circuses with animals from the point of view of public security”, said the animal rights group OIPA. But it also highlighted “the discomfort of poor creatures forced into captivity for entertainment”.

Vassallo said critics “don’t know the reality of the facts, how animals are treated in circuses, or the checks that are carried out”.

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