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Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter

Hebe and Ganymede explained

This chapter recounts the myth of Hebe, goddess of youth and cupbearer to the gods, who either resigned her position upon marrying Hercules or was dismissed after a fall.

What happens

This chapter recounts the myth of Hebe, goddess of youth and cupbearer to the gods, who either resigned her position upon marrying Hercules or was dismissed after a fall. Her successor was the Trojan boy Ganymede, whom Jupiter, disguised as an eagle, abducted from Mount Ida and brought to heaven. The chapter includes poetic references by Tennyson and Shelley.

Themes in this chapter

  • Love and Transformation

    Jupiter's love for Ganymede leads to the boy's transformation from mortal to immortal cupbearer.

  • Mortality and Immortality

    Ganymede is taken from mortal life to serve the gods eternally, while Hebe's role changes due to marriage or mishap.

Characters to notice

  • Jupiter

    Disguised as an eagle, Jupiter abducts Ganymede from Mount Ida and installs him as cupbearer.

  • Hebe

    Daughter of Juno and goddess of youth; former cupbearer who resigned or was dismissed.

  • Ganymede

    Trojan boy abducted by Jupiter to become the new cupbearer to the gods.

Key passages

  • “Hebe, the daughter of Juno, and goddess of youth, was cupbearer to the gods.”

    Hebe, Juno's daughter and the goddess of youth, served as the cupbearer for the gods.

    Introduces Hebe's role and lineage.

  • “Her successor was Ganymede, a Trojan boy, whom Jupiter, in the disguise of an eagle, seized and carried off from the midst of his playfellows on Mount Ida, bore up to heaven, and installed in the vacant place.”

    Ganymede, a Trojan boy, was taken by Jupiter in the form of an eagle from his friends on Mount Ida and brought to heaven to replace Hebe.

    Describes the abduction and installation of Ganymede.

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