Juno

In Roman mythology, the principal goddess, identified with the Greek Hera. The wife of Jupiter and queen of heaven, she was concerned with all aspects of women's lives and also regarded as a patroness of commerce.

Attributes Juno's title varied with different aspects of her patronage, the functions of lesser deities being added to her own . As Juno Cinxia, she endowed the bridal girdle with its virtue, and as Juno Introduca, she accompanied the bride to her new home. In childbirth Juno Opigena aided the mother, and Juno Lucina made the child see the light of day; in this capacity she was identified with Eilithyia, the Greek goddess of childbirth. From 344 BC the temple of Juno Moneta, giver of counsel, housed the mint.

Worship As goddess of the state, Juno Regina, she was honoured in the Capitol at Rome along with Jupiter and Minerva. At Lanuvium, southwest of Rome, Juno was celebrated as Sospita or Sispes, her image bearing arms and wearing a goatskin cloak. The calends (first day of every month) were sacred to the goddess, and her most important festival at Rome was the Matronalia. The ceremonies of the Nonae Caprotinae included a sham fight of maidservants. Women offered sacrifices to Juno Natalis on their birthdays, and the month of June (originally Junonius) was considered auspicious for weddings.